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Digital Information Warfare Threatens National Security Stability
Digital Information Warfare Challenges India’s Internal Security
Context: The Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025, which killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), marked not only a tragic act of violence but also the onset of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
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- In the digital age, terrorist incidents are immediately followed by narrative wars on social media, where truth competes with propaganda for public perception and legitimacy.
- The attack exemplifies how hybrid warfare involving terrorism, AI-generated misinformation, and social media manipulation undermines India’s national security, social cohesion, and international standing.
Methods for Weaponising Social Media
- Coordinated Hashtag Propaganda
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- Within hours of the attack, hashtags such as #IndianFalseFlag, #PahalgamDramaExposed, and #ModiExposed trended on X (formerly Twitter).
- Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) revealed that over 75% of posts originated from Pakistani accounts, often linked to pro-military narratives.
- The objective was to discredit India, shift blame from Pakistan-based terror outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front (TRF), and suggest India orchestrated the attack.
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- Deepfakes and AI-Generated Content
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- AI tools were used to create distorted videos and images, including a grieving woman morphed into a dance video and fake statements from senior Indian Army officials.
- These were designed to ridicule victims, inflame emotions, and portray the Indian state as deceptive.
- Forensic analysis by I4C confirmed pixel anomalies and pre-dated metadata, indicating synthetic image creation using GANs.
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- Targeting the Armed Forces and Fabricated Military Dissent
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- A wave of disinformation aimed at portraying internal rebellion among Sikh soldiers of the Indian Army.
- AI-generated deepfakes claimed that soldiers were demanding a Khalistan referendum and refusing to operate in Kashmir.
- Videos were doctored to show soldiers demanding secession, amplified by pro-Khalistani and Pakistani troll networks.
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- Fake Cyber Breach Claims
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- Pakistani cyber actors claimed to have breached Indian defence networks, although Indian authorities denied any data compromise.
- Such claims aimed to create psychological insecurity and project Indian vulnerability.
Socio-Economic Fallout of Digital Information Warfare
Geopolitical Ramifications and Strategic Calculations
- The crisis reflects the stability-instability paradox—limited conflict under the nuclear umbrella between India and Pakistan.
- Both nations took tit-for-tat measures, with Pakistan suspending the Simla Agreement and imposing trade restrictions.
- China’s involvement via CPEC and India’s position in the Quad alliance adds strategic complexity to the situation.
- The international community’s silence risks emboldening propaganda warfare and undermines democratic resilience.
- Economic Disruption in J&K
- The attack led to a massive drop in tourism:
- Hotel bookings in Pahalgam and Anantnag dropped by over 60%.
- Amarnath Yatra registrations declined by 35%.
- Local businesses (transport, handicrafts, hospitality) saw revenue losses of 40–50%.
- Thousands in the informal sector became unemployed or underemployed, reflecting J&K’s economic fragility under terror threats.
- The attack led to a massive drop in tourism:
- Communal Polarisation and Social Unrest
- The propaganda campaign attempted to polarise communities by linking the attack to Muslim identity, escalating religious tensions.
- Allegations of internal betrayal and selective targeting of Muslim homes contributed to scapegoating and vigilantism.
- This erodes national unity and provides fodder for jihadist recruitment narratives, both domestically and globally.
- Damage to International Perception
- Propaganda targeting global platforms could:
- Distort international understanding of the incident.
- Complicate diplomatic efforts to isolate terrorist sponsors.
- Undermine India’s image as a stable and secure democracy.
India’s Multi-Dimensional Response to the Information War
- Digital and Media RegulationThe Press Information Bureau (PIB) and independent fact-checkers actively debunked viral falsehoods.
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- The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued advisories urging media restraint and public verification.
- India banned several Pakistani YouTube channels and social media handles that were disseminating propaganda.
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- Public Engagement and Awareness
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- Citizens were urged to report misinformation via PIB’s WhatsApp number and email ID.
- Public advisories emphasized scrutinizing viral content, especially concerning the armed forces.
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- Diplomatic and Strategic Countermeasures
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- India initiated retaliatory strikes under Operation Sindoor on terrorist camps in PoK and Pakistan, targeting 9 sites.
- The Indus Waters Treaty was suspended, and the Attari-Wagah border closed.
- Diplomatic ties were curtailed; Pakistani diplomats were sent back, and global partners were briefed to highlight India’s stance.
