Operation Sindoor: India Strikes Back Amidst Misinformation Campaigns

Counterterrorism Strikes and Misinformation Surge

New Delhi: Following India's successful counterterrorism initiative, Operation Sindoor, various media outlets and social media accounts linked to the Pakistani government have been observed spreading misleading and fabricated information to distort the narrative surrounding the operation.

On Wednesday, the Indian military executed precision strikes targeting nine significant terrorist locations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.

This operation represents a pivotal moment in India's ongoing battle against cross-border terrorism.

In the aftermath of these strikes, a surge of disinformation flooded online platforms, with Pakistani media and associated accounts propagating false narratives and unverified claims, particularly on X.

Independent analysts and India's official fact-checking organizations quickly identified many of these claims as unfounded.

One of the most widely circulated falsehoods suggested that Pakistan had bombed an Indian military installation in Amritsar.

The video purportedly supporting this claim, which depicted large flames illuminating the night sky, was swiftly debunked.

Fact-checkers traced the footage back to a wildfire that occurred in Valparaiso, Chile, in 2024, which had no relation to any military actions in India or Pakistan.

The Press Information Bureau's Fact Check division promptly responded to the misinformation, stating: "Pakistan Propaganda Alert! Handles based in Pakistan are disseminating old videos falsely claiming strikes on a military base in Amritsar. The video being circulated is from a wildfire in 2024. Please refrain from sharing unverified information and depend solely on official sources from the Government of India for accurate updates."

Despite these clarifications, numerous pro-Pakistan accounts, including those associated with the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), persisted in promoting similar content.

Many images and videos shared by Pakistani sources were either digitally manipulated or taken from unrelated events, often years old, and repurposed to create a false narrative of retaliation and military strength.

Observers noted that even prominent political figures participated by sharing discredited material and making unverified claims of successful counterstrikes.

Analysts have characterized this as a coordinated effort by Pakistan's information machinery to alter public perception following India's operation.

Experts monitoring the spread of disinformation have indicated that the use of manipulated content, such as outdated war footage and repurposed disaster videos, is part of a long-standing strategy employed by Pakistan's state-linked media to maintain a psychological narrative of equality and defiance against India, particularly after significant Indian military operations.

In light of the misinformation deluge, the Indian government reiterated its appeal for the public and media to rely solely on verified updates from official channels.

Authorities also cautioned against the risks of disseminating unverified or false news that could incite unnecessary panic or mislead public sentiment.