President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday undertook a 30-minute sortie in a Rafale fighter jet at the Ambala Air Force base in Haryana. After the sortie, she was seen posing with Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, India’s first and only female Rafale pilot — a moment that directly countered Pakistan’s earlier claims that Singh had been captured during Operation Sindoor.
Shivangi Singh: India’s Trailblazing Rafale Pilot
Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, a native of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2017 as part of the second batch of women fighter pilots. She became the first woman to fly the Rafale jet in 2020. During President Murmu’s visit, Singh provided a detailed tour and briefing of the aircraft, underscoring her operational expertise and professionalism.
Also Read – PM Modi: India Emerging as Symbol of Peace, Inclusive Growth Amid Global Uncertainty
Pakistan’s False Narrative During Operation Sindoor
Singh’s name had surfaced in Pakistani media during Operation Sindoor, India’s precision strike mission against terror camps in Pakistan and PoK following the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan had falsely claimed that India had lost several aircraft, including a Rafale, and that Singh was captured near Sialkot after ejecting from her jet.
A separate viral video furthered misinformation, alleging that IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh had visited Shivangi Singh’s home. The Indian government later clarified that the footage was from August 14, 2025, when the Air Chief had actually visited the family of late Sergeant Surendra Kumar in Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.
Also Read – Trump Expresses Optimism Ahead of Trade Talks with China’s Xi in South Korea
IAF and Government Dismiss Misinformation
Indian authorities repeatedly refuted Pakistan’s propaganda, confirming that all pilots involved in Operation Sindoor were safe.
Air Marshal Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, stated,
“We achieved our objectives of neutralising terrorist camps. As for losses, we are still in a combat situation and cannot reveal operational details that could benefit the adversary.”
President Murmu’s sortie and her interaction with Squadron Leader Singh served as a visible reaffirmation of India’s air dominance and a symbolic rebuttal to Pakistan’s disinformation campaign.
