In a breakthrough incident, President Droupadi Murmu had made history on Wednesday by taking a 30-minute sortie in a Rafale fighter jet at the Ambala Air Force base in Haryana. She has posed with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India’s first and only female Rafale pilot. The President’s visit has motive to blow a false claim of Pakistan’s false that Singh’s aircraft had been shot down during Operation Sindoor and that she had been captured as a prisoner of war.
Pakistan’s Fake Claims on Shivangi Singh
Pakistan had earlier circulated false reports suggesting that India lost several fighter jets, including a Rafale, during Operation Sindoor — a series of precision strikes by India on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after the Pahalgam terror attack.
According to those baseless claims, Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh was allegedly shot down near Sialkot and captured. However, her appearance with President Murmu at Ambala has clearly exposed those lies.
Who Is Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh?
Shivangi Singh hails from Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, and joined the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2017 as part of the second batch of women fighter pilots. In 2020, she was selected to fly the Rafale jets, becoming India’s first woman pilot to do so. Known for her skill and dedication, Singh played a key role in familiarizing the President with the Rafale aircraft during the sortie, which served as both a symbolic and powerful message of confidence in India’s air power.
Government Refutes Misinformation
A few days ago, another fake video circulated on social media claimed that IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had visited Shivangi Singh’s home after her alleged capture. The Government of India’s fact-check wing quickly dismissed this, clarifying that the footage was from August 14, 2025, when the Air Chief had visited the family of late Sergeant Surendra Kumar in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, who had lost his life during Operation Sindoor.
The Indian Air Force had already addressed Pakistan’s misinformation during official briefings. Air Marshal Bharti, Director General of Air Operations (DGAO), had stated that India successfully achieved its mission objectives and that all pilots had returned safely.
India’s Response to Operation Sindoor
Speaking about the operation, Air Marshal Bharti emphasized that the focus should remain on the success of the mission, not on false narratives.
He said, “We are in a combat scenario; losses are a part of combat. The question you must ask us is… have we achieved our objective of decimating the terrorist camps? And the answer is a thumping yes. And the results are for the whole world to see.”
He added that the IAF would not reveal sensitive details, saying, “As for the details, what could have been… how many numbers… which platform did we lose… at this time I would not like to comment on that because we are still in a combat situation. If I comment on anything, it will only be advantageous. So, we don’t want to give him any advantage at this stage.”
A Symbolic Moment for India
President Murmu’s sortie not only showcased India’s growing air capabilities but also served as a strong message of solidarity with the nation’s armed forces. Her flight alongside Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh was a powerful counter to Pakistan’s disinformation campaign and a proud moment for Indian women in defence.
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