In the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, we have been inundated with hyperbole and conflicting claims by both sides to the conflict. Fake news and outlandish claims have been rife. India claims to have shot down an American madeF-16 of the Pakistan Air force. Pakistan did not bother to even comment about the claim. There has been none or hardlyany credence given to the Indian claim in the foreign press. The Americans who keep close tabs on the equipment they have sold to Pakistan and have placed restrictions on the use of those planes have also maintained a stony silence. Pakistan claimed to have shot down two Indian Mig21 planes, even claiming that one of the pilots was hospitalized. They claim that the downed plane landed in the Indian controlled territory, and could not provide any proof of the downing. Again this was hyperbole. No further information about the alleged second shooting down or the condition of the second pilot has been forthcoming. Fake news ?News reports in India stated that approximately 300 people were estimated to have been killed in the bombing of a terrorist camp. Two weeks later, no conclusive evidence has been provided, This being election season in India, we can expect a lot of fake news in order to sway voters allegiance, and appealing to their nationalism. With news now available literally at our fingertips, and the ability to manipulate electronic evidence, it behoves us to read the news with a jaundiced eye, and wait for the dust to settle to get a clearer picture of what really happened.
