Operation Sindoor: India Battles Pakistan’s Disinformation Onslaught in Psychological Warfare

Date:

New Delhi: In the aftermath of India’s precision counter strike, Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, a fierce battle has erupted—not on the battlefield, but in the digital realm. Pakistan has unleashed a coordinated disinformation offensive, flooding social media with fabricated narratives, doctored videos, and misleading claims to sow fear, confusion, and division among the Indian public. India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) have swung into action, debunking falsehoods and exposing Pakistan’s psychological warfare tactics.

Operation Sindoor: India Battles Pakistan’s Disinformation Onslaught in Psychological Warfare
Operation Sindoor: India Battles Pakistan’s Disinformation Onslaught in Psychological Warfare

What is Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor was India’s cross-border counterstrike targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan following a devastating terror attack in Pahalgam. Described as “focused and precise” by Indian officials, the operation avoided civilian, economic, or military targets, focusing solely on dismantling terror infrastructure. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting reported on May 7, 2025, that the operation triggered an immediate and aggressive disinformation campaign from Pakistan, aimed at distorting the ground reality and manipulating public perception.

India briefed five countries post-operation, emphasizing its strategic restraint. However, Pakistan’s response was to flood social media with fabricated stories of military victories and heroic retaliation, none of which held up under scrutiny. The PIB’s fact-checking unit, operating in a newly established war room, has been working round-the-clock to counter these falsehoods, flagging at least seven major instances of propaganda since the operation began.

Understanding Psychological Warfare (PSYWAR)

Psychological warfare, or PSYWAR, is the tactical use of propaganda, threats, and non-combat techniques during conflicts or geopolitical unrest to mislead, intimidate, and demoralize adversaries. Its objective is to weaken the resolve, unity, and effectiveness of opposing forces without direct combat. PSYWAR employs various tactics, including:

  • Dissemination of Propaganda: Spreading narratives to demoralize enemy forces and erode confidence in their chances of victory.
  • Threats and Intimidation: Inducing fear to destabilize morale and decision-making.
  • Exploitation of Social Fault Lines: Targeting ethnic, cultural, or political divisions to inflame tensions.
  • Cyber-Psychological Warfare: Using social media and digital platforms to manipulate public opinion.

PSYWAR propaganda is categorized into three types:

  • White Propaganda: Truthful and moderately biased information.
  • Grey Propaganda: Mostly truthful, with no disproven content.
  • Black Propaganda: Fake information attributed to false sources.

The implications of PSYWAR are profound. It undermines public trust by spreading fake narratives that sow doubt about official reports, ensures military success through campaigns like leaflets encouraging surrender, and fuels polarization and panic by inflaming societal divisions and hindering cohesive national responses.

Pakistan’s Disinformation Offensive Post-Operation Sindoor

Following Operation Sindoor, Pakistan’s state-affiliated social media accounts, pro-Pakistan handles, and even influential political figures launched a full-blown disinformation campaign. The I&B Ministry described this as a “desperate attempt to shift focus from ground reality.” The campaign’s goal was to overwhelm the information space with falsehoods so rapidly that distinguishing fact from fiction became challenging. This was not mere misinformation—unintentional spread of false content—but deliberate disinformation, crafted to mislead and manipulate.

The PIB reported a barrage of coordinated disinformation from Pakistani social media handles and mainstream media, aimed at instilling fear among Indians. Indian media and social media users inadvertently amplified some of these falsehoods, necessitating swift intervention by the PIB’s fact-checking unit. Below are key instances of disinformation debunked by the PIB:

1. Fake Drone Attack Video in Jalandhar

A widely circulated video claimed a drone attack in Jalandhar, intended to create panic. The PIB traced it to an unrelated farm fire, exposing the claim as fabricated.

2. Doctored Video of Indian Post Destruction

A video alleged that the Pakistani army destroyed an Indian post. Shared by fake and unverified accounts, it was debunked as staged, with the PIB confirming no such unit existed in the Indian Army.

3. Old Video of Beirut Attack Misrepresented

An old video from a 2020 Beirut attack was shared, falsely claiming Pakistan launched a missile attack on India. The PIB clarified its true origin, flagging it as part of Pakistan’s propaganda.

4. False Terrorist Attack Claim in Rajouri

Information about a supposed terrorist attack on an army brigade in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, was widely circulated. The PIB confirmed no such attack occurred, labeling the claim as a deliberate attempt to mislead and confuse.

5. Misleading Image of Jammu Air Force Base Explosions

An old image from the Kabul Airport blast in August 2021 was shared, falsely claiming multiple explosions at the Jammu Air Force Base. The PIB debunked this as another recycled falsehood.

6. Fake Claim of Indian Rafale Jet Shot Down

A viral image claimed the Pakistan Army shot down an Indian Rafale jet near Bahawalpur. The PIB traced it to a 2021 MiG-21 crash in Moga, Punjab, unrelated to current events.

7. Fabricated Surrender at Chora Post

A video falsely claimed the Indian Army raised a white flag and surrendered at Chora Post. Amplified by Pakistan’s Minister Attaullah Tarar, the PIB debunked it as entirely fabricated, criticizing Tarar for endorsing unverified claims.

8. Misrepresented Srinagar Airbase Attack

A video alleging a Pakistan Air Force attack on Srinagar Airbase was traced to sectarian clashes in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, in early 2024, with no connection to Kashmir.

9. False Claim of Indian Brigade Headquarters Destruction

A claim that Pakistan destroyed an Indian Brigade Headquarters was debunked, with the PIB identifying the accompanying image as a MiG-29 crash in Barmer, Rajasthan, from September 2024.

10. Baseless Claim of Captured Indian Soldiers

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif claimed Indian soldiers were captured during Pakistan’s response to Operation Sindoor. The PIB dismissed this as false, noting Asif later retracted the statement, admitting no soldiers were captured.

India’s Robust Response to Disinformation

The PIB and I&B Ministry have been proactive in countering Pakistan’s disinformation campaign. On May 7, 2025, a war room was established within the PIB’s fact-checking unit to monitor social media platforms 24/7. The unit has been actively debunking fake news, busting myths, and protecting India’s sovereignty and national interest. Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized the government’s commitment to combating digital warfare, which encompasses both misinformation and cyberattacks.

The PIB’s efforts extend beyond debunking. It is educating citizens about cybersecurity best practices and encouraging vigilance. The Reserve Bank of India’s guidelines to banks for constant network monitoring reflect a broader strategy to enhance digital resilience. The I&B Ministry described Pakistan’s tactics as a coordinated attempt to mislead the media, distort the global narrative, and create an illusion of a strong counter-response, which India has systematically dismantled.

The Broader Implications of Digital Warfare

The convergence of conventional and digital battlespaces has elevated the importance of information resilience and cybersecurity. Pakistan’s disinformation campaign exemplifies how digital platforms can be weaponized to manipulate perceptions and destabilize nations. The PIB’s statement on May 9, 2025, underscored that this psychological warfare was actively debunked over weeks, highlighting the scale of the challenge.

India’s response demonstrates a multi-pronged approach:

  • Vigilance: Round-the-clock monitoring of social media and mainstream media.
  • Coordination: Collaboration between government agencies like the PIB and I&B Ministry.
  • Adaptation: Evolving strategies to counter sophisticated disinformation tactics.

As digital threats grow, India’s national security hinges on its ability to navigate these challenges with confidence. Comprehensive strategies, including public education and robust cybersecurity measures, are critical to maintaining stability in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

Conclusion

Operation Sindoor not only showcased India’s military precision but also exposed the vulnerabilities of the digital age. Pakistan’s disinformation offensive, characterized by fake videos, recycled images, and baseless claims, aimed to undermine India’s resolve and manipulate global perceptions. However, India’s swift and systematic response, led by the PIB and I&B Ministry, has effectively countered this psychological warfare. By debunking falsehoods, educating citizens, and strengthening digital resilience, India is setting a new standard for combating disinformation in the modern era. As the nation moves forward, its ability to adapt and respond to digital threats will be crucial in safeguarding its sovereignty and public trust.

FAQs

1. What is Operation Sindoor?

2. What is psychological warfare (PSYWAR) in the context of Operation Sindoor?

3. What types of disinformation were spread after Operation Sindoor?

4. How did India respond to the disinformation campaign?

5. What are the implications of Pakistan’s disinformation tactics?

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