New Delhi: During Operation Sindoor, several terror hideouts based in Pakistan were destroyed in a strategic strike by the Indian Armed Forces. While the operation proved successful on the ground, Pakistan launched a massive disinformation campaign on social media platforms, aiming to distort the facts and mislead the global narrative.
Countering such fake news and propaganda has become a significant challenge for nations during modern warfare. In the case of Operation Sindoor, the Indian government took firm measures to combat the spread of misinformation originating from Pakistani sources.
Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the government has already formulated regulatory frameworks to curb fake news. During Operation Sindoor, a surge in fake narratives about the Indian military was observed, primarily originating from outside India.
To counter this, the government invoked Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, issuing orders to block websites and social media handles spreading fake news. As a result, nearly 1,400 social media accounts were blocked during the course of the operation. Furthermore, the government’s Fact Check Unit actively countered Pakistan’s disinformation with verified data and evidence.
To streamline the response and ensure coordinated action, a centralized control room was established. This control center functioned 24/7, facilitating interdepartmental coordination among various ministries and armed forces. It was responsible for providing verified updates to all media outlets.
The control room included nodal officers from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, as well as media officials from various government departments and the Press Information Bureau (PIB). Constant surveillance of fake content related to Operation Sindoor was conducted, followed by timely takedown orders and legal action.
India’s proactive digital defense strategy during Operation Sindoor highlights how modern military operations are no longer limited to the battlefield, but extend into the virtual space of information warfare.
