Months after the government claimed that Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India’s first and only female Rafale pilot, was not captured by Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, the chatter on social media handles has gained momentum regarding her “alleged disappearance”.
Singh shot into the limelight way back in 2020 when she was shortlisted for flying Rafale. Earlier she was flying MiG-21 Bison aircraft. Hailing from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Singh got commissioned in the Indian Air Force in 2017, as part of IAF’s second batch of women fighter pilots. Following an intrusive process, she was shortlisted as a Rafale pilot in 2020.
During Operation Sindoor, various rumours circulated suggesting that India had lost several fighter jets, including a Rafale. Some reports even alleged that Singh had been captured near Sialkot after ejecting from her aircraft, which was purportedly shot down.
A few days ago, another fake video claiming that IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, visiting the home of the IAF pilot went viral on social media.
Several pro-Pakistan social media accounts, including verified ones, circulated a 23-second video claiming it showed the IAF Chief at the residence of missing pilot Shivangi Singh. However, PIB Fact Check refuted the claim, clarifying that the footage was from August 14, 2025. The video actually depicts the Air Chief Marshal visiting the family of the late Sergeant Surendra Kumar in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. Sergeant Kumar lost his life in the line of duty during Operation Sindoor.
In a statement issued to The Statesman, the Indian Air Force spokesperson called the reports fake. “Sqn Ldr Shivangi remains deployed and is performing her operational duties,” the spokesperson stated.
It may be recalled, that during the media briefings of Op Sindoor, Indian Air Force’s Director General of Air Operations (DGAO) Air Marshal Bharti had claimed that the forces have achieved the objectives of Operation Sindoor and all the pilots are back home.
“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 had said.
“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,” he added.