Azaad Digital is a multilingual digital news platform from Pakistan that publishes news, analysis, and fact-check content in English, Urdu, and Chinese. With the objective of expanding its reach to Urdu-speaking readers worldwide, this media network has launched a separate platform for the Urdu language named Azaad Urdu. Azaad Urdu presents itself as an independent, fact-based, and unbiased digital news platform. According to the website, its objective is to deliver news, analysis, and fact-checks related to Pakistan, South Asia, and international developments to its readers. This platform regularly publishes content specifically related to India, Jammu & Kashmir, India-Pakistan relations, international politics, and so-called “fact-checks.”
The website’s editorial policy claims to uphold balanced and responsible journalism. However, a study of the available articles, headlines, terminology used, and reporting style reveals a pro-Pakistan and anti-India bias in its coverage of topics related to India and Jammu & Kashmir. In this report, we will cover the following points.
- Azaad Urdu’s Website and Social Media Accounts
- Analysis of News Related to India
- Analysis of Jammu & Kashmir Coverage
- Investigation of Fake and Misleading Claims
- Conclusion
1. Azaad Urdu’s Website and Social Media Accounts
Source: azadurdu.pk
The official website of Azaad Urdu is Azaad Urdu, whose domain is registered under .pk (Pakistan country code top-level domain). The domain name of the website is azaadurdu.pk. The title of the website ز, which means “Azaad Urdu – Flight of Freedom”. The website’s hosting server IP is 77.37.83.221, the hosting location is the Netherlands, and the hosting provider is IPFFM – Internet Provider Frankfurt GmbH. The website regularly receives traffic from Pakistan, India, Gulf countries, Europe, America, and Canada. Scam Adviser has described the site as “very likely not a scam.” The site’s Trancos rank is relatively low, indicating that it is a niche news website rather than a highly popular global media portal.
Source: X
Furthermore, Azaad Urdu has a widespread presence on social media as well. On the social site X (formerly Twitter), Azaad Urdu (@azaad_urdu) has more than 90k followers. This is a verified blue-tick account. The account’s bio provides information stating, “Azaad Digital, Pakistan’s leading digital media platform.” Links to news published on the website, breaking news updates, political analysis, posts related to India, Pakistan, and Kashmir, and fact-checks are shared on the account. The large number of followers and regular posting indicate that this account has a wide reach among Urdu-speaking audiences. Content published on the website is rapidly disseminated through social media, thereby increasing both its reach and influence.
2. Analysis of News Related to India
A large number of news stories, analyses, and so-called fact-check articles related to India are published on the website of Azaad Urdu. Searching for the word “بھارت” (India) on the website brings up hundreds of articles. These articles have been published over the last two years, which clearly indicates that India is one of the primary editorial subjects of this platform.
In these articles, news related to India is not presented as factual reporting, but rather within a specific editorial framework. Negative news concerning India is exaggerated in these pieces. India’s political, economic, or military events are consistently broadcasted as failures. In doing so, words like “failure”, “propaganda”, “lie”, “conspiracy”, “aggression”, and “exposed” are routinely used for India. A selective pattern is visible in the platform’s coverage related to India. This coverage shows an active effort to depict India as a failed nation that is not only escalating regional tensions but also spreading misinformation and facing challenges on various fronts. A major portion of the coverage is centered around controversy, criticism, and negative incidents.
Source: Azad Urdu
This article, published by Azaad Urdu, titled “Intellectual Bankruptcy of Indian Politicians: Manoj Tiwari’s Shocking Statement, is a clear example of mocking Indian politics. The article claimed that Manoj Tiwari said, “If we consider two rupees as one rupee, then the dollar will become 45 rupees.”
Source: X
Using this alleged statement as a foundation, the article not only questioned Manoj Tiwari’s economic understanding but also attempted to portray the entire Indian political leadership as a symbol of “intellectual bankruptcy” (Fikri Diwaaliapan). However, according to available information, Manoj Tiwari had made no such statement. He himself labelled this claim as fake news and refuted it.
Source: Azad Urdu
In this article published by Azaad Urdu, General Anil Chauhan’s statement was presented in such a manner as if India had accepted its military defeat before Pakistan. In reality, Anil Chauhan had only stated that some aircraft were lost during the conflict and learning from that is more important. He had not accepted Pakistan’s claim of shooting down six aircraft. By using language such as “India’s defeat”, “failure of Rafale”, “false flag”, and “Indian aggression”, the article attempted to project a negative image of India.
Source: Azad Urdu
In this article, Azaad Urdu claimed that Kashmiri citizens from the main market of Pahalgam have “declared war” against the Modi government and sent a message of support for the Pakistani army. Along with this, citing Afghan citizens, it was stated that they would stand in favor of Pakistan and counter India’s activities. However, such claims have not been confirmed by any independent, official, or credible source. The statements presented in the report are entirely based on a promotional and political agenda, utilizing fabricated narratives and emotional appeals instead of actual facts.
Source: Azad Urdu
This article claimed that the assault on a Brigadier and his son in Delhi was the result of public anger due to the Indian Army’s alleged failure in “Operation Sindoor”. However, according to available reliable reports, this claim is incorrect. Brigadier Parminder Singh Arora and his son had stopped some people from consuming alcohol in a public place in Delhi’s Vasant Enclave. A dispute arose over this matter, and those individuals later assaulted both of them. News reports nowhere mention that the incident was related to “Operation Sindoor”, Pakistan, or any military failure. Therefore, Azaad Urdu misleadingly linked this common criminal incident to an anti-India narrative and presented it as such.
3. Analysis of Jammu & Kashmir Coverage
Source: Azad Urdu
Source: Azad Urdu
Source: Azad Urdu
Source: Azad Urdu
Source: Azad Urdu
Source: Azad Urdu
Source: Azad Urdu
Issues related to Kashmir are given special importance on Azaad Urdu’s website. Searching for the word “کشمیر” (Kashmir) on the website brings up a large number of articles. In Azaad Urdu’s articles related to Kashmir, the region is referred to as Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). This is part of the official terminology widely used by the Government of Pakistan, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and pro-Pakistan media organizations. In the reporting related to Kashmir, terms like “Indian occupation”, “Kashmiri resistance”, “Indian suppression”, “human rights violations”, “illegal action”, and “oppressed Kashmiris” are repeatedly used. Throughout this coverage, every effort is made to portray the actions of Indian security forces as repressive and controversial. Along with this, attempts are made to put India in the dock by exaggerating issues of human rights and religious freedom.
4.Investigation of Fake and Misleading Claims
4.1 Fact Check: Did India “dismiss” its Army Chief and Navy Chief on the anniversary of May 10?
Source: Azad Urdu
Azaad Urdu published an article on May 09, 2026, claiming that India dismissed its “Army Chief” and “Naval Chief” on the anniversary of May 10. The article stated: “Senior journalist Rizwan Razi, while mentioning India’s shameful defeat in the ‘battle of truth’ and the dismissal of the top military leadership, said that India celebrated the anniversary of May 10 by dismissing its Army Chief and Navy Chief. According to details, senior journalist Rizwan Razi mocked the Indian Army and the incompetent Modi over the worst failures on the completion of one year of last year’s failed ‘Operation Sindoor’. It is noteworthy that the Indian Modi government has carried out a massive reshuffle in the military and dismissed the Army and Navy chiefs upon the completion of one year of the failure of ‘Operation Sindoor’; meanwhile, the former Vice Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani (Retired), has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff, while Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been made the new Navy Chief. According to Indian media, Lieutenant General Subramani will replace General Anil Chauhan, while Vice Admiral Swaminathan will take command of the Indian Navy following the retirement of Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi. According to Indian media, these appointments come at a time when one year has been completed since the failure of ‘Operation Sindoor’ launched by India against Pakistan, and the Indian military leadership is facing severe criticism for this failure. Knowledgeable circles in India claim that the main reason for the shameful failure of ‘Operation Sindoor’ was the incompetence and excessive political inclination of Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan and Army Chief General Dwivedi. Instead of placing merit above all, those officers were promoted who were previously not considered suitable for the 4-star rank, but their religious and political allegiance came to their aid. It is noteworthy that ‘Operation Sindoor’ against Pakistan has proven to be a stain on India’s forehead, the ink of which India will keep washing for centuries.”
Fact Check:
Reliable and official sources confirm that the claims made in Azaad Urdu’s report regarding the “dismissal” of top Indian military leaders due to military failure are entirely false, fabricated, and highly misleading.
- No Dismissal of the Army Chief: The claim that Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi was dismissed is completely baseless. The Government of India’s official fact-checking channels and defence sources explicitly debunked these viral social media rumours as “fake and baseless.” General Dwivedi continues to actively serve in his position.
- Routine Transitions, Not Sackings: The transition of leadership in the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Chief of the Naval Staff roles are regular, pre-planned institutional appointments following the completion of tenures and official retirements—not punitive sackings.
- The New Appointments:
- Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani has been appointed to take over the role of CDS after the current CDS, General Anil Chauhan, successfully completes his official tenure on May 30, 2026.
- Chief of the Naval Staff: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has been appointed as the next Navy Chief to succeed Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who is scheduled to officially retire from service on May 31, 2026.
Therefore, Azaad Urdu deliberately mischaracterised routine, scheduled top-level military successions as a chaotic “dismissal” to weave a false narrative of failure around the anniversary of the May 2025 border standoff (“Operation Sindoor”). It is noteworthy that General Anil Chauhan has been referred to as the “Army Chief,” whereas he was actually India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). “CDS” and “Army Chief” are two entirely different positions. The CDS is the highest-ranking military officer appointed to coordinate all three services: the Army, Navy, and Air Force, while the Army Chief is the head of the Indian Army only. Therefore, Azaad Urdu’s headline itself is fundamentally misleading.
To investigate the claim made in the article, DFRAC analyzed the news related to the assertion. During this process, we found reports from ABP Live, DD News, and The Times of India. The reports explicitly stated that General Anil Chauhan was not removed from his post. His tenure was scheduled to end routinely on May 30, 2026, and Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani was appointed as his successor. Similarly, the leadership change in the Navy was also part of a routine administrative process. Following the scheduled tenure of Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was appointed as the new Naval Chief.
Source: Ids
Source: Indian Army
It is noteworthy that General Anil Chauhan has been referred to as the “Army Chief,” whereas he was actually India’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). “CDS” and “Army Chief” are two entirely different positions. The CDS is the highest-ranking military officer appointed to coordinate all three services: the Army, Navy, and Air Force, while the Army Chief is the head of the Indian Army only. Therefore, Azaad Urdu’s headline itself is fundamentally misleading.
4.2 Fact Check: Did “Freedom Fighters” kill 3 Indian soldiers and capture 1 in the Rajouri sector?
Source: Azad Urdu
Azaad Urdu published an article in April 2026, claiming that “freedom fighters” killed three Indian soldiers and captured one soldier alive in the Rajouri sector of Jammu & Kashmir. Azaad Urdu wrote in its article:
“During a fresh clash in the Rajouri sector of occupied Kashmir, freedom fighters shot dead three Indian soldiers and arrested one. This incident was the result of a sudden attack. According to reports, freedom fighters targeted an Indian Army platoon; three Indian soldiers were killed during this clash, while one was captured alive. Following this incident, the Indian Army has cordoned off the entire area and increased surveillance on internal and external routes; people are facing difficulties in commuting, while an atmosphere of fear and panic prevails throughout the area. It must be remembered that India is unleashing a reign of tyranny and brutality in occupied Kashmir, routinely staining its hands with the blood of innocent Kashmiris. The international community must take immediate notice of this situation.”
Fact Check:
To investigate the viral claim, we scanned national and international media for news reports related to the assertion. However, during this process, we did not find any news report that could verify the credibility of the aforementioned article.
Source: MOD
During this process, we also examined all press releases from the Ministry of Defence for April 2026. However, no press release regarding this matter was found.
Furthermore, we found no information about this in the Indian Army’s monthly magazine “Baat chit” for April 2026, nor on the Indian Army’s official Twitter handle ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi).
It is noteworthy that if three Indian soldiers had actually been killed and one soldier had been captured in an encounter, it would have been an extremely serious and extraordinary event. Such an incident would generally be confirmed by the Indian Army, the Ministry of Defence, and major media organizations. However, no confirmation of this claim was found in any available public sources.
5. Conclusion:
Azaad Urdu is not merely a regular news portal, but rather an influential digital weapon driving Pakistan’s Strategic communication and Information warfare objectives under the guise of journalism. It is utilized to manipulate readers’ perceptions, emotions, and political outlook against India. It projects India as a repressive, unstable, and failed nation, while simultaneously advancing Pakistan’s ideological, diplomatic, and strategic interests. To achieve this, it relies on fake and misleading news, presenting fabricated narratives against India under the cover of reporting.
