In a strange twist in the midst of increased tensions between Pakistan and India, the official Twitter account of the Government of Pakistan has found itself at the center of controversy for sharing a clip from the military simulation video game ARMA 3, presenting it as real footage of a Pakistani military reaction.
The clip, presenting a Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) firing, was posted along with comments from Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who commended the “timely and nerve-wracking response” of the military against purported Indian aggression. He also blamed India for “war madness and selfishness,” and pledged a “befitting reply.
But internet users were quick to identify the images as coming from ARMA 3, a video game created by Bohemia Interactive that features hyper-realistic graphics and modding capabilities. The episode has generated widespread ridicule, with people asking how an official government handle could confuse or distort footage from a video game as genuine military material. In spite of the criticism, the tweet is still up and no official clarification has been made by Islamabad.
The Indian government reacted through the Press Information Bureau (PIB), cautioning people against believing fake news. “Please don’t get taken in by such propaganda posts,” PIB said, confirming that a number of videos of military operations doing the rounds were indeed screenshots from combat simulation games such as ARMA 3 and Digital Combat Simulator World.
Combat gaming footages flood social media‼️
Several combat gaming videos are being deceptively circulated as real footages of recent India-Pakistan conflict. Please don’t fall prey to such propaganda posts.
?Stay Alert! Stay Informed! #PIBFactCheck #IndiaFightsPropaganda pic.twitter.com/eqOBnMd8O6
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 10, 2025
It is not the first time ARMA 3 gameplay has been abused in geopolitical situations. Because the game has such realistic graphics, it has been used too often to help disseminate false information during international wars.
The altercation occurred just a few days after India and Pakistan mutually agreed to a complete and immediate ceasefire from May 10 at 5 PM after American-mediated talks.
As misinformation continues to proliferate online, experts stress the importance of verifying digital content, especially when shared by official sources.
