Subheading: While the IAF dropped missiles, Indian news channels dropped logic.
🚨 BREAKING: “Pakistan begs for mercy”, “India attacks terror lair”, “Aliens fear Arnab Goswami” 🚨
If you relied on Indian TV news for updates on Operation Sindoor, you’d be forgiven for thinking we were already halfway through World War 3, India had captured Lahore, and Shah Rukh Khan was appointed Defence Minister. Because that’s exactly how loud, nationalistic, and fact-averse the coverage was.
Let’s break down the surgical strikes, not just by the IAF, but also by the media — on truth, subtlety, and your eardrums.
🎯 The Real Operation Sindoor: A Quick Recap
On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor in response to a brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians. The IAF struck terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and deep inside Pakistan. Precise, strategic, and shockingly non-Bollywood.
The government called it a “measured military response.”
The news channels? They called it a blockbuster.
📺 The TRP Warfront: Who Yelled First?
🗯️ Republic TV
Arnab Goswami reportedly screamed “WE WON!” before the operation even started. His panel discussion featured:
- A retired Army general,
- Two BJP spokespersons,
- One unfortunate Congress leader who never got to speak,
- A CGI explosion in the background,
- And a dog named Veer.
At one point, Arnab allegedly declared: “This is not a debate, this is India’s roar!” Sources say even the Rafale jets could hear him.
🎤 Aaj Tak
Aaj Tak created a “War Room” set that looked like a cheap sci-fi film. They brought in a missile model the size of a scooter and used words like ‘Tabahi Ka Badla’ and ‘Pakistan Ki Kamayi Ka Antim Din’ (Pakistan’s Last Paycheck Day?).
They even used clips from the video game Call of Duty to explain the strike route. Aaj Tak: Where realism goes to die.
📡 Zee News
Zee ran a ticker claiming: “Pakistani Anchor Breaks Down On Live TV After Strike.” The viral video turned out to be from 2017, where the anchor was upset about rising onion prices. But hey, who needs facts when you’ve got feelings?
They also ran a segment titled “Sindoor Se Saffron Tak”, turning a counter-terrorism operation into a Navratri festival.
📺 India TV
Rajat Sharma’s show opened with: “Kya Pakistan Ke Bunker Mein Bhoot Ghoom Raha Hai?” (Is a ghost haunting Pakistani bunkers?). No, seriously.
They used background music from The Conjuring while showing blurry satellite images with glowing red filters. Viewers weren’t sure if it was a military analysis or a paranormal show.
🧠 What About Facts?
Most major news outlets:
- Reported unverified casualty numbers, some claiming “400 terrorists dead” while official sources remained silent.
- Shared fake or out-of-context videos, including recycled footage from old floods, Syrian airstrikes, and even scenes from the movie Uri.
- Referred to strategic strikes as full-blown war, with hashtags like #SurgicalStrike2.0, #FinalWarning, and #GameOverPakistan.
Not one major channel aired an actual military briefing. Because that would involve calm, patience, and silence — all enemies of TRP.
🧨 The Real Damage? Truth
This isn’t just harmless sensationalism. When news becomes drama:
- Diplomatic fallout worsens. Foreign press sees us as unstable.
- Citizens are misinformed, leading to jingoism and blind nationalism.
- Fake news spreads like wildfire, endangering actual soldiers and their operations.
Even Twitter was full of armchair generals planning “Phase 2” of Operation Sindoor. Some wanted to “conquer Karachi by 5PM.”
🤥 Misinformation Highlights
| Fake News Shared | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Pakistani anchor cries on live TV” | Video from 2017, unrelated |
| “India destroyed 9 terror bases” | Official sources haven’t confirmed exact numbers |
| “Pakistan retaliated with 30 missiles” | Exaggerated — initial reports suggested 3 drones and minor retaliatory action |
| “Indian tanks seen in Lahore” | It was a video game simulation… again |
🎙️ Meanwhile, Real Journalism Was…
…sitting quietly on independent digital platforms. Outlets like The Wire, Scroll, and Alt News fact-checked misleading reports and focused on:
- Ground reports from Kashmir
- Civilian impact
- Diplomatic statements
- Military updates from credible sources
But who wants sober truth when you can get masala?
🌍 Global Reaction: We Looked Unhinged
Foreign media like The Guardian, BBC, and NYT reported the operation with gravity and caution. In contrast, Indian media looked like a hyperactive kid who got into the Red Bull stash.
Result? Global viewers found the Indian military professional — but the Indian media circus-like.
📣 Final Thoughts: News or Noise?
India’s military showed restraint, precision, and clarity. But our media?
They turned Operation Sindoor into a TRP Yatra, complete with:
- Fake crying anchors
- Exploding graphics
- Misreported facts
- Shouting matches
- And zero accountability
🧹 Operation TRP Cleanup: Suggested Measures
- Mandatory disclaimers when using simulated or dramatized footage.
- Real-time fact-checkers embedded in studios (like news bouncers).
- Anchor volume limiters — strictly under 80 decibels.
- Penalty for fake news equal to Arnab being muted for 1 week. Effective and deeply satisfying.
🪔 Closing Line:
While the armed forces fight terrorists, maybe it’s time the rest of us start fighting fake news terrorism — coming to a channel near you, every night at 9 PM.
