The recent war between Pakistan and India did more than send military units scrambling. The war ignited a parallel conflict online, where unverified claims and sensational rhetoric spread with alarming speed. In a matter of hours, social media feeds on both sides overflowed with proclamations of decisive victories, catastrophic losses, and dramatic frontline breakthroughs. Many of these narratives were later debunked or traced to unrelated conflicts. Yet the initial impact was real, shaping public sentiment, eroding trust in legitimate news sources, and even risking further escalation.

Among the top viral posts, certain linguistic tactics recurred. Claims of “Indian female pilot caught by Pakistan” or “enemy air force wiped out” or “Pakistan Nuclear Leak News” or IAF hits entrance of Pak N-weapons Site” surfaced almost immediately.

Research shows that readers, under stress, are more inclined to accept vivid images without skepticism, especially when they bolster patriotic or adversarial views. Words such as “obliterated,” “martyrdom” and “betrayal” peppered Pakistani and Indian posts, triggering fear and outrage rather than careful reflection. Several posts, even attributed fabricated quotes to the Prime Ministers and Army Chiefs of both countries, exploited readers’ deference to expertise by presenting false statements in trusted voices.

Visually, the deception extended beyond text. Video clips purportedly showing fresh skirmishes were........

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