Pulwama Attack BJP Planned Conspiracy, Says Abhinandan: Fact Check

Story:

Pulwama Attack was a Well-Planned Conspiracy of BJP – Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman

Other Versions

पुलवामा हमला बीजेपी की सोची समझी साजिश थी और पाकिस्तान पर नकली हमला करवाया, मोदी को चुनाव जीतने के लिए इमरान खान मदद कर रहा है। बालाकोट पर बमबारी इमरान खान की सहमति से हुई है
-विंग कमांडर अभिनंदन

Fact Check:

A ‘breaking’ story in circulation claims IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman said Pulwama Attack was a Well-Planned Conspiracy of BJP, Bharatiya Janata Party of India. It says the Balakot Airstrike in Pakistan was a fake attack orchestrated with the help of Pakistan PM, Imran Khan to let Modi win Elections for the second time. No, the claims are not true; Abhinandan did not give any such statement.

Origin of Story

The story in question is doing rounds online via. WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms since at least May 2019. It accompanies an image of Abhinandan alongside the text in Hindi he allegedly said. We found the Facebook user S M Muzammil Qureshi shared the image on 13th May 2019 calling it a छुपा हुआ सच, i.e. hidden secret. The Facebook post during General Elections in India spread wide from thereon. It is not available now as it was deleted later on. However, his posts suggest, the user is against the ruling BJP party of India, Narendra Modi and supports Congress.

Pulwama Attack Not BJP Planned Conspiracy

On the other hand, there are no credible reports supporting the claims in question. Indian Air Force Fighter pilot Abhinandan Varthaman was held captive for 60 hours in Pakistan after his aircraft was shot down in an aerial dogfight during 2019 India-Pakistan standoff. After much protest, he was released and Abhinandan shot to fame because of his brave stand during the capture. He was not much in media limelight since then. If he had given any such statements against ruling BJP party in India, it would have easily appeared in many mainstream news outlets. Again, there are no credible reports on it.

Earlier in May 2019, Hindi news outlet Dainik Jagran’s Vishvas News also reported about the story, publishing the image of fake Facebook post. Interestingly, a cropped picture from the news item circulated online alleging to show Abhinandan gave the statement.

So, the picture messages claiming Wing Commander Abhinandan said Pulwama attack was a planned conspiracy of BJP are hoaxes. The fabricated story appeared on social media and spread wide because of the controversial nature of the content.

Hoax or Fact:

Hoax.