In the wake of Operation Sindoor, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a strong advisory to all states and union territories, urging them to ramp up monitoring of anti-national content on social and digital media platforms. The directive calls for swift and decisive action against the spread of misinformation, especially narratives aimed at undermining national security.
According to sources, the move comes in response to an aggressive disinformation campaign launched by Pakistan following India’s recent missile strikes on terror camps across the border. The MHA has asked local authorities to identify and block accounts pushing fake news or distorted versions of the operation and India’s security posture. The centre emphasised the need for coordinated cyber surveillance and urged platforms to cooperate in curbing false content that may incite unrest or damage India’s global image.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed states to immediately block social media accounts—whether domestic or foreign—that are found spreading false propaganda against India.
Under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the government holds the authority to restrict access to online content in the interest of national security or public order.
Building on this legal provision, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has emphasised the need for enhanced coordination between the local administration, armed forces, and paramilitary units, particularly in border regions. The ministry also called for strengthening communication channels between the Centre and states, especially in areas identified as vulnerable zones.
This directive comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, one of India’s most significant military offensives in recent years. Launched just after midnight on Wednesday, the joint Army-Air Force operation targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). The strike was a direct response to the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people.
According to the Central government, the missile strikes killed over 90 terrorists and destroyed infrastructure linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen—groups known for orchestrating attacks on Indian soil.
Following the operation, Pakistan condemned the strikes as an “act of war,” triggering a flood of misinformation on social media. Several pro-Pakistan accounts circulated false claims, including reports of Indian jets being shot down and soldiers captured—all of which were thoroughly debunked by Indian authorities.
One widely shared post falsely claimed that a Rafale fighter jet had been downed near Bahawalpur, using an unrelated image from a 2021 incident. Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, also falsely stated that Indian soldiers had been taken prisoner— a claim he was later forced to retract.
In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs has directed all states to not only block such propaganda but also to raise public awareness, urging officials to counter rumours swiftly to prevent panic and misinformation from spreading.
