President Murmu Poses With IAF Pilot Shivangi Singh, Whom Pakistan Claimed Captured in Operation Sindoor

President Droupadi Murmu undertook a 30-minute sortie in a Rafale fighter jet on Wednesday at Haryana's Ambala Air Force base. After landing, she posed with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India's first and only woman Rafale pilot.

The meeting served as a powerful response to Pakistan's earlier claims that Singh's fighter jet was shot down during Operation Sindoor and that she had been captured as a prisoner of war.

India's First Female Rafale Pilot: Breaking Barriers in the Sky

Shivangi Singh, who hails from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, joined the Indian Air Force in 2017 as part of the second batch of women fighter pilots. She became part of the Rafale squadron in 2020, marking a major milestone in her career.

During President Murmu's visit, Singh introduced her to the Rafale fighter jet and briefed her about its operations. The interaction further dismissed Pakistan's baseless allegations about her capture during Operation Sindoor.

Pakistan's False Capture Claims During Operation Sindoor

Shivangi Singh's name made headlines during Operation Sindoor, which was India's precision air strike mission to target terror hubs in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror attack.

At that time, Pakistan circulated claims that India had lost multiple fighter jets, including a Rafale, and alleged that Singh had ejected from her aircraft near Sialkot before being taken captive. These claims were quickly denied by the Indian government, which clarified that all pilots had returned safely after completing their missions.

Government Clarifies Viral Video and Pakistan's Propaganda

Recently, a video went viral on social media claiming that IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh had visited Shivangi Singh's residence. The government's fact-checking team later clarified on X that the footage was from August 14, 2025, when the Air Chief had visited the family of the late Sergeant Surendra Kumar in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.

The Indian Air Force had already refuted Pakistan's misinformation about Operation Sindoor during press briefings. Air Marshal Bharti, Director General of Air Operations (DGAO), stated that the forces had successfully achieved their objectives.

"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.

India's Firm Stand on Misinformation

Through verified communication and transparency, the Indian government and the Air Force have consistently countered misinformation spread by Pakistan. President Murmu's meeting with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh at Ambala symbolized India's commitment to truth, strength, and the unwavering spirit of its Air Warriors.