Paris hits back: French Navy calls out Geo TV for false claims on India-Pakistan clash
The French Navy has issued a sharp condemnation of Pakistan-based media outlet Geo News for publishing what it described as “misinformation and disinformation” related to India’s Operation Sindoor and the India-Pakistan clashes in May.
The controversy began after Geo TV published an article on November 21 claiming that a French naval officer had confirmed “Pakistan’s air superiority” and alleged that Indian jets were shot down during the skirmishes that followed the April Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed.
In a strongly worded post on X, the French Navy rejected the report, stating that the story not only misquoted the officer but even used the wrong name—referring to him as “Jacques Launay” instead of Captain Yvan Launay.
“These statements were attributed to Captain Launay, who never gave his consent for any form of publication. The article contains extensive misinformation and disinformation,” the Navy said.
[#FAKENEWS] These statements were attributed to Captain Launay who never gave his consent for any form of publication.
The article contains extensive misinformation and disinformation. pic.twitter.com/crVrFFABkx— Marine nationale (@MarineNationale) November 22, 2025
It clarified that Captain Launay’s role is strictly limited to commanding the naval air station at Landivisiau, which houses Rafale Marine aircraft, and that he holds no operational authority regarding Indo-Pak conflicts. The service added that he neither confirmed nor denied any loss of Indian aircraft during Operation Sindoor and explicitly refused to comment on Indian Rafale jamming or Chinese military systems—contradicting Geo TV’s claims.
The Navy further noted that Launay never mentioned the Chinese J-10 fighter jet at all.
BJP leader Amit Malviya reacted strongly, calling the episode evidence of Pakistan’s “desperate misinformation machinery.”
“The French Navy has called out Pakistan’s Geo TV and its correspondent Hamid Mir for spreading misinformation and disinformation… When official institutions start debunking their propaganda, you know how desperate Pakistan’s misinformation machinery has become,” he said.
Operation Sindoor: India’s Response to Pahalgam Attack
Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, was India’s direct military retaliation to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Over four days, the Indian Air Force and Army struck terror camps and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The operation involved fighter jets, missiles, drones, and intense artillery exchanges. According to official assessments, India destroyed nine major terror camps, killed at least 100 terrorists, and struck 13 Pakistani airbases and military assets.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said Pakistan lost 12–13 aircraft—including F-16s and JF-17s—both on the ground and in air combat, dismissing Islamabad’s claim of downing Indian jets as “fanciful tales.”
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