Claims that Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) first woman Rafale pilot, was captured by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor have been proven false. The rumours were finally laid to rest when President Droupadi Murmu flew in a Rafale jet from Haryana’s Ambala Air Force base — piloted by none other than Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh herself.

The official X handle of the President of India shared a photo of the sortie: 

Earlier, several fake posts and videos had circulated online claiming that Shivangi’s jet had crashed and that she was captured in Pakistan. Mathrubhumi Fact Check had earlier debunked these false claims, providing verified information about each viral video and photo.

Fake claims and the truth

 

One of the most widely circulated claims alleged that Shivangi Singh’s Rafale jet crashed during Operation Sindoor and that she was trapped in Pakistan.
In reality, the photo showing a woman pilot lying on the ground was from June 1, 2023, when an IAF Kiran training jet crashed near Chamarajnagar, Karnataka. The pilots involved were Wing Commander Tejpal and Chief Trainer Bhoomika—both survived the crash with minor injuries. It was Bhoomika’s image that was falsely shared as Shivangi Singh’s.

Another viral video showed a person hanging from a parachute caught in trees, falsely claimed to be Shivangi. The clip was actually from March 16, 2025, showing a paraglider trapped among trees in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, due to strong winds.

Posts also claimed that opposition MPs had raised questions in Parliament on July 28 regarding the “disappearance” of Shivangi Singh during Operation Sindoor. It was alleged that Rohtak MP Deepender Singh Hooda had asked such questions.

In reality, Hooda made no reference to Shivangi Singh during the discussion. He had only raised general queries about the government’s response to Operation Sindoor.

Another video claimed to show the IAF Chief visiting Shivangi Singh’s family after she went “missing”. The clip actually showed Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh and his wife, Sarita Singh, consoling the family of Sergeant Surendra Kumar, who was killed in action during Operation Sindoor.

On May 11, 2025, Air Marshal A.K. Bharti clearly stated at a press conference that all Air Force pilots who participated in Operation Sindoor were safe.

The Press Information Bureau (PIB) also officially dismissed the rumours through multiple posts on its X handle, confirming that the claims about Shivangi Singh were completely fake.