Fri May 09 09:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Government Debunks Fake News About ATM Closures Amidst India-Pakistan Tensions
**NEW DELHI** – The Indian government has issued a strong warning against the spread of misinformation, specifically addressing a viral WhatsApp message falsely claiming the closure of ATMs for two to three days. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has confirmed that ATMs remain operational and urged citizens not to share unverified messages.
The false claim, circulating amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, has the potential to cause panic and disrupt banking services. The government stressed the importance of verifying information directly with banks before forwarding such messages.
This incident is part of a larger disinformation campaign, with the PIB fact-checking at least eight viral videos and posts in a single night. These included false claims of drone attacks in Punjab, the destruction of an Indian Army post (a unit which does not exist), and the misrepresentation of old videos to suggest recent Pakistani airstrikes.
The escalation of tensions began last month following a Pakistan-backed terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives. India responded with military action, leading to further retaliatory actions from Pakistan, including shelling and airstrikes. The Indian Army has reported successfully repelling these attacks. The current situation underscores the importance of responsible information sharing and the need to rely on verified sources amidst heightened geopolitical instability.
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