Indian media has once again come under criticism for promoting baseless conspiracy theories, this time over the elevation of Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Syed Asim Munir, to the rank of Field Marshal. The disinformation campaign has not only undermined media credibility but also attracted international mockery.
Following the official approval of General Munir’s honorary promotion by Pakistan’s federal cabinet—only the second such elevation in the country’s history—Indian news channels began airing sensational claims. They alleged that General Munir orchestrated the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Indian-occupied Kashmir, to provoke tensions and secure the prestigious five-star rank.
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These unfounded accusations have been strongly rejected in Pakistan, where both the government and public have condemned them as diversionary tactics aimed at masking India’s internal security lapses.
Indian commentators further fueled the controversy by suggesting that General Munir had unilaterally promoted himself to Field Marshal in a bid to prolong his influence and control Pakistan’s military and political arenas. These claims, however, were quickly refuted, as the promotion followed proper constitutional procedures and received full endorsement from Pakistan’s civilian authorities.
General Munir’s promotion was widely praised in Pakistan following recent military confrontations with India, during which Pakistani forces reportedly downed several Indian aircraft, including Rafale and Su-30 jets, along with Israeli-made drones—significantly boosting Pakistan’s defense posture.
The Indian media’s approach was also ridiculed across social media platforms, with many users pointing out the increasing overlap between propaganda and journalism in India’s news coverage, particularly during periods of regional tension.
