Pakistan pumping disinformation to shake public confidence: Experts

Since tensions flared between India and Pakistan, a parallel front has opened in cyberspace, where misinformation, fake news, and deepfakes have been continuously emerging as potent tools of hybrid warfare.

India continues to confront not just a physical threat, but a digital one designed to manipulate perceptions, mislead citizens, and influence global opinion.

In recent days, social media platforms have been flooded with unverified claims, including fabricated military losses, false images of bombed-out civilian areas, and deepfake videos purportedly showing Indian officials making controversial statements.

While some content is easily debunked, other posts — produced using advanced AI tools — are far more difficult to detect and discredit.

Cybersecurity experts warn that much of this misinformation appears to be part of a coordinated campaign originating from across the border.

“Information warfare is no longer a sideshow — it’s the main theatre. What we are witnessing is a deliberate effort to disrupt Indian civil society, shake public confidence, and create internal divisions through digital manipulation,” a cyber expert said.

The Indian government, in response, has escalated its counter-disinformation strategy. The Press Information Bureau’s fact-checking unit has issued multiple advisories, debunking viral claims related to military deployments and casualty numbers.

Additionally, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has asked social media platforms to take down hundreds of accounts linked to Pakistan-based operatives.

Another expert said Pakistan’s shift from traditional conflict to digital aggression is tactical. “It’s low-cost, deniable, and scalable. Their objective is psychological — create confusion, weaken morale and destabilise narratives," he said.

According to security officials, disinformation networks often recycle old footage, adding new captions or voiceovers to give it a false contemporary context. Some accounts also impersonate Indian news outlets, using logos and formats to enhance credibility.

To counter these tactics, cyber experts urge the public to exercise caution before forwarding messages or sharing unverified news. Legal provisions under the IT Act and Indian Penal Code also empower authorities to penalise individuals who knowingly spread false information, particularly during national emergencies.

India