On May 7, 2025, India conducted a historic military operation named Operation Sindoor, launching precise and decisive airstrikes on nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). This was in direct response to the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, 2025, where 26 innocent civilians-including 25 Indians and one Nepali tourist-were killed. The attack specifically targeted Hindus, including newlywed couples such as Lieutenant Vinay Narwal and his wife Himanshi, married just six days prior. The incident shocked the entire nation.
Operation Sindoor, personally named by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was dedicated to the women whose husbands were killed in the attack and symbolized India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. The operation was executed between 1:28 AM and 1:51 AM, lasting just 23 minutes. During this time, 80–90 terrorists, including top commanders from Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba, were killed, and camps like Markaz Subhan Allah were completely destroyed.
Information Warfare After the Operation
Immediately after this military success, a new and dangerous front opened-information warfare. False news, propaganda, and misleading narratives were circulated to tarnish India’s image, demoralize the public, and isolate India on the international stage.
Key Elements of the Disinformation Campaign
Fake Claims of Indian Aircraft Crashes
Pakistani military media (ISPR) and several Pakistani channels claimed that three Indian Air Force jets crashed in Kashmir, sharing old images from a 2024 Rajasthan accident to support the narrative. These were unrelated to Operation Sindoor.
False Tweet by The Hindu and Its Misuse
On May 7, 2025, The Hindu’s official X (Twitter) account posted a tweet claiming three Indian jets crashed in Jammu & Kashmir, citing a government source and including photos alleged to be from crash sites. The tweet was false, not published on their website, and was later deleted. However, Chinese propaganda outlet China Daily amplified the claim, citing The Hindu to lend credibility and spread the narrative globally.
Claims of Attacks on Indian Military Bases
Pakistani media also spread rumors of missile attacks on Indian bases like Srinagar Airbase, with no credible evidence. Hashtags like #IndiaUnderAttack and #KashmirBurns trended to create panic and confusion.
Civilian Casualty Narrative
Some Pakistani and international media alleged that civilians, not terrorists, were killed in the strikes. Indian authorities clarified that only terrorist targets were hit, with no civilian casualties, a fact confirmed by independent investigations.
Role of Some Indian Media and Journalists
Besides The Hindu, a few Indian journalists and outlets echoed these unverified claims, further fueling confusion.
Fake Videos and Images on Social Media
Numerous fake videos and photos, including footage from unrelated conflicts, were circulated as evidence of Indian losses or attacks.
Objectives and Strategies of the Information Warfare
Undermine India’s Military Success
- Cast doubt on the effectiveness of Operation Sindoor
- Create Domestic Discord
- Erode public trust in the government and military
- Boost Terrorist Morale
- Suggest Indian actions were ineffective
- Build International Pressure
- Portray India as aggressive and irresponsible
- Increase Regional Tensions
- Escalate instability through misinformation
The strategy involved first spreading fake news on social media, then legitimizing it through Pakistani and some international media (using Indian sources like The Hindu), and finally taking these narratives to international forums.
Impact and Challenges
Public Confusion and Fear: Many citizens believed the false claims, leading to distrust and criticism of the government and military.
International Image: Negative narratives, amplified by outlets like China Daily, sought to isolate India diplomatically.
Military Morale: The disinformation aimed to demoralize Indian forces, but the military responded firmly and clarified the facts.
Government and Fact-Checking Response
The Indian government and military immediately countered the disinformation, issuing official statements confirming:
- No Indian aircraft crashed during the operation
- No Indian military bases were attacked.
- Only terrorist camps were targeted, with no civilian casualties.
- Top terrorist commanders were eliminated.
Independent fact-checkers also debunked viral images and videos, confirming they were unrelated or misrepresented.
Solutions and the Way Forward
Rapid Response Mechanisms: Establish dedicated cyber cells for real-time monitoring and rebuttal.
Public Awareness: Educate citizens on digital and media literacy.
Media Responsibility: Outlets must verify information before publication, especially when cited internationally.
International Cooperation: Work with other nations to counter cybercrime and disinformation.
Technological Tools: Use AI to detect deepfakes and fake content.
Legal Framework: Enforce strict penalties for deliberate misinformation.
Broader Context
Operation Sindoor and the subsequent information warfare highlight that modern conflict is fought not only on the battlefield but also in the digital and narrative realms. The carelessness of reputed institutions like The Hindu complicated the information war, underlining the need for vigilance and robust narrative management. India must strengthen its cyber and information defense to counter such challenges and protect its global image.
Operation Sindoor demonstrated India’s firm resolve against terrorism, but the information warfare that followed shows that the dimensions of modern conflict have changed-now fought not just with weapons, but also with information, ideas, and narratives.
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