Fact Check; Did Pakistan silently hand over Shivangi Singh to India in today’s prisoner exchange?

Following a prisoner exchange between Pakistan and India today, rumors began spreading online. Many social media users in Pakistan claimed that a captured Indian female pilot, Squadron Leader Shivangi Singh, was secretly handed back to India. But officials from both countries have confirmed that these rumors are completely false.

The speculation started after videos and posts went viral. They claimed that Shivangi Singh, a Rafale pilot in the Indian Air Force, had been arrested by Pakistani authorities.

However, on Sunday, May 11, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Choudhry, clearly denied these claims during a press conference. He stated that Pakistan had not arrested any Indian female pilot.

The Indian government also dismissed these rumors, calling them baseless. Despite this, the story is still trending online, especially on Pakistani social media, where users continue to share unverified claims.

Some now believe that Shivangi Singh was released during today’s prisoner swap. But again, no official or reliable source has provided any proof to support this claim. Authorities say the story is false and misleading.

According to official statements, only two prisoners were exchanged today. India released Abdulla, a member of the Punjab Rangers, while Pakistan freed Purnam Kumar Shaw, a constable from the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

The BSF confirmed that Shaw was handed over at around 10:30 AM at the Joint Check Post in Attari, Amritsar. He had been detained in Pakistan since April 23. Shaw returned to India on Wednesday morning, the BSF said in its statement.

There was no mention of Shivangi Singh in any part of the official exchange or documentation.

Officials from both countries urge people not to believe or spread rumors without evidence. They emphasized that the only confirmed exchange today was of the two male prisoners.