Pakistan, May 22 -- The recent war between Pakistan and India did more than send military units scrambling. The war ignited a parallel conflict online, where unverified claims and sensational rhetoric spread with alarming speed. In a matter of hours, social media feeds on both sides overflowed with proclamations of decisive victories, catastrophic losses, and dramatic frontline breakthroughs. Many of these narratives were later debunked or traced to unrelated conflicts. Yet the initial impact was real, shaping public sentiment, eroding trust in legitimate news sources, and even risking further escalation.

Among the top viral posts, certain linguistic tactics recurred. Claims of "Indian female pilot caught by Pakistan" or "enemy air force...