ATMs Closing for 2-3 Days.? Government Busts Fake WhatsApp Rumours

· ATMs closing for 2-3 days.? Government debunks fake WhatsApp rumours amid India-Pakistan tensions. ATMs remain operational, says PIB. Latest updates! #ATMsClosingFake

A viral WhatsApp message claiming ATMs will be closed for 2-3 days has been debunked by the Indian government as fake, amid escalating India-Pakistan tensions. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) clarified that ATMs will remain operational, urging citizens not to share unverified rumours. As Operation Sindoor exposes Pakistan’s terror links, false narratives are spreading panic but banks like SBI and PNB confirm uninterrupted services.

Details & Context
On May 9th, 2025 a misleading WhatsApp message began circulating, falsely claiming that ATMs across India would shut down for 2-3 days. The rumour gained traction amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following the Pahalgam attack on April 22nd, 2025 which killed 26 civilians. India’s Operation Sindoor launched in response, targeted terror camps in Pakistan and PoK, leading to a fierce counter-narrative from Pakistan. X posts from users in Jammu and Delhi amplified the ATM rumour with some linking it to the ongoing conflict.

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The PIB swiftly fact-checked the claim, stating, “ATMs will continue to operate as usual.” Public sector banks, including SBI, PNB and Bank of India, issued statements confirming that ATMs, cash deposit machines, and digital services remain fully functional. X posts from @TheStatesmanLtd and @CNNnews18 echoed the government’s clarification, emphasising the need to avoid spreading unverified messages. The PIB also debunked other false claims between May 8th and 9th including a fake video of a drone attack in Jalandhar (actually a farm fire) and a nonexistent “20 Raj Battalion” supposedly destroyed by Pakistan.

Pakistan’s disinformation campaign has intensified since Operation Sindoor exposed its terror links. X discussions reveal Pakistan’s attempts to flood digital spaces with fake narratives, such as old footage of the 2020 Beirut explosion mislabelled as Pakistani airstrikes on India. The Indian Army’s strong retaliation—downing Pakistani drones and missiles—has further fuelled Islamabad’s efforts to control the narrative, according to defence analysts on X.

Quotes

· PIB Official Statement (via X): “A viral WhatsApp message claims ATMs will be closed for 2-3 days. This is FAKE. ATMs will operate as usual. Don’t share unverified messages. #IndiaFightsPropaganda”

· SBI Announcement: “All ATMs, CDMs/ADWMs and digital services are fully operational. Ignore rumours about ATM closures. #ATMServices”

· X User Concern: “Heard ATMs are closing for 3 days due to India-Pakistan war. Is this true.? Scary times.! #IndiaPakistanTensions”

Additional Information
The fake ATM closure rumour is part of a broader wave of misinformation linked to the India-Pakistan conflict. The PIB fact-checked eight viral claims between 10 PM on May 8th and 6:30 AM on May 9th including a misleading video alleging a fedayeen attack on an Army brigade in Rajouri. Another false narrative involved old footage from the 2020 Beirut explosion being passed off as Pakistani airstrikes. X trends show users mistakenly associating these rumours with the conflict, with hashtags like #IndiaPakistanWar and #OperationSindoor trending.

Operation Sindoor has significantly disrupted Pakistan’s terror infrastructure with strikes in PoK’s Kahuta and Muzaffarabad as reported on X. Pakistan’s shelling along the LoC and failed airstrikes on Indian military bases have been met with a robust response including the use of the S-400 missile defence system. However, the digital space remains a battleground, with Pakistan-backed handles spreading fake news to create panic and discredit India’s military successes.

· The government has urged citizens to rely on official sources and report dubious content to the PIB via WhatsApp (+91 8799711259) or email (socialmedia@pib.gov.in).

· Banks have also advised customers to verify information directly with them, emphasising the importance of digital literacy in combating misinformation during such tense times.

Impact Analysis
The fake ATM closure rumour could have caused widespread panic, potentially leading to long queues at banks and ATMs, disrupting normal operations. X posts from users in Punjab and Delhi reveal fears of cash shortages with some recalling the 2016 demonetisation chaos when ATMs ran dry. Such misinformation risks undermining public trust in banking services, especially during a national security crisis.

The broader India-Pakistan conflict has already heightened anxiety with X users expressing concerns over safety and economic stability. Pakistan’s disinformation campaign, including fake videos and rumours aims to destabilise India’s social fabric as seen in past instances like the 2019 Pulwama attack aftermath, where fake news fuelled communal tensions. The current wave of misinformation including the ATM rumour, could exacerbate these tensions, potentially leading to localised unrest if not curbed.

On the positive side, the swift response from the PIB and banks has helped contain the damage. X hashtags like #IndiaFightsPropaganda have gained traction with users praising the government’s proactive fact-checking. However, the incident underscores the need for stronger digital literacy and stricter regulations on platforms like WhatsApp which has historically been a hotspot for misinformation in India, as noted in a 2018 TIME report on mob lynching’s linked to fake WhatsApp forwards.

The viral WhatsApp rumour about ATMs closing for 2-3 days is a stark reminder of how misinformation can amplify fear during crises like the India-Pakistan conflict. While the government and banks have debunked the claim, ensuring ATMs remain operational, the incident highlights the dangers of Pakistan’s digital propaganda. As Operation Sindoor continues to dismantle terror networks, India must stay vigilant against fake news that threatens national stability. Citizens are urged to verify information with official sources to prevent panic and maintain unity in these challenging times.

Call to Action (CTA)
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