New Delhi: After the Balakot air strike, when the nation is united and the morale of the security forces is high, there are fake news peddlers trying to pour cold water on the country’s achievement. 

A screenshot, apparently from Republic TV, is being circulated widely on social media. The screen grab shows a news flash running: 21 Sikh regiments refused to fight for India.  

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The news is not only fake but also a malicious attempt to discredit a news organisation and demoralise our soldiers.

A Twitter user even tweeted, "Do we need enemies? This is what happens when politicisation of our armed forces is a reality which is yet to sink in. @Republic, Sikh regiment is probably the regiment with the highest number of gallantry awards, battle and theatre honours in the world. Shame on you traitors." 

However, after an outcry on Twitter, he deleted the tweet and wrote an apology to Republic TV.

What's even more shocking is that the fake news was retweeted by a Lutyens journalist who openly proclaims to fight the menace of fake news herself. She also deleted the tweet later.

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The screenshot, which is with MyNation, shows that the fake news was retweeted 49 times and garnered 49 likes, 23 comments within 36 minutes of being posted.

Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami told MyNation, "I am surprised that so-called journalists are spreading such Pakistan-sponsored propaganda, here in India. I want to know, how did they get hold of these propaganda contents that are being circulated by the Pakistan Army."