15% of Army’s Time in Operation Sindoor Spent Fighting Misinformation
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan revealed that during Operation Sindoor, approximately 15% of the Army’s time and effort was consumed in countering misinformation campaigns. Speaking at a defence-related event, General Chauhan emphasized how fake news and propaganda posed serious operational challenges during the high-tempo military campaign launched after the Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian Army found itself compelled to divert personnel and resources to track, rebut, and neutralize false narratives being spread online and through adversarial propaganda networks.
The general highlighted the need for improved real-time strategic communications during modern military engagements and noted that falsehoods have become a critical domain of hybrid warfare. Operation Sindoor not only demonstrated India’s military capabilities but also showcased the growing need for simultaneous information warfare preparedness.
Strategic Communication and Media Handling during Operation Sindoor
General Chauhan praised the Army’s deliberate and mature media strategy during the early stages of Operation Sindoor. In the initial 10 days, two women officers served as the public face of the operation, allowing senior leadership to focus entirely on executing operational plans. Only after the 10th day did the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) begin conducting media briefings to provide official details.
Chauhan explained that India has consistently built its public narrative on verifiable and solid information rather than rushing to release flashy updates. This, he said, was a conscious decision to preserve credibility and avoid falling into the trap of misinformation warfare that often relies on speed over substance.
Cyber Threats Detected but Contained
Addressing the issue of cyberattacks, General Chauhan acknowledged that there were attempts to target Indian systems, including distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. However, he reassured that India’s military command-and-control networks remain largely secure due to being air-gapped and isolated from the public internet.
While some low-level intrusions targeted publicly accessible websites, such as educational portals, there were no breaches of operational defence systems. General Chauhan’s comments indicate that while India is exposed to cyber risks during periods of military escalation, its core military IT infrastructure remains resilient and protected.
Foreign Secretary Blames Pakistan for Disinformation
In a parallel briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri directly accused Pakistan of fueling disinformation during Operation Sindoor. Misri categorically denied Pakistani claims of Indian infrastructure or cyber capabilities being compromised. “There have been no attacks on power grids, cyber systems, or military infrastructure. These are outright lies,” he said, calling the Pakistani claims a “tissue of lies” designed to cloud global opinion.
Misri emphasized the importance of not giving legitimacy to enemy propaganda and urged global media and observers to rely on verified information released by Indian authorities.
