Pakistan’s recent propaganda efforts have been spectacularly dismantled, not by India, but by France itself. The French Navy has issued a strong public refutation of claims made by a Pakistani media outlet, Geo TV, exposing fabricated quotes and false narratives surrounding Operation Sindoor. This official French statement effectively debunks Islamabad’s attempts to misrepresent the events and humiliate India.
The Pakistani report falsely attributed quotes to a senior French naval officer and sensationalized claims that Indian Rafale jets were ‘shot down’ during Operation Sindoor. Geo TV presented these fabrications as factual, aiming to alter the perceived outcome of the operation. However, France’s clear and unequivocal denial has exposed the story as a manufactured narrative, leaving Pakistan in an embarrassing international spotlight.
Geo TV’s article, published on November 21, alleged that a French naval commander confirmed Pakistan’s ‘air superiority’ and the downing of Indian Rafale jets. These claims were linked to India’s retaliatory strikes on terrorist camps following the Pahalgam attack. The report further misidentified the French officer, referring to him as ‘Jacques Launay’ instead of the correct name, Captain Yvan Launay.
The French Navy explicitly stated via its official X account that the attributed statements were false and that Captain Launay had not authorized any publication. Their statement condemned the article for containing ‘extensive misinformation and disinformation,’ precisely dismantling Pakistan’s fabricated account. The report had falsely claimed Captain Launay praised the Pakistan Air Force’s performance and mentioned Chinese support, all of which the French Navy has categorically denied.