We are witnessing a major armed conflict between India and Pakistan, which got escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 Indian civilians, mostly tourists. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. Pakistan retaliated with Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, striking Indian military bases.
In this recent escalation between India and Pakistan, the battlefield extended beyond conventional warfare into the digital realm, where narratives were crafted and contested with fervor. While India executed Operation Sindoor in response to a terrorist attack in Kashmir, targeting alleged militant camps in Pakistan, the subsequent information war revealed a significant challenge: India’s struggle to control the global narrative.
The Narrative Setback
Despite India’s military actions, Pakistan adeptly maneuvered the information landscape. By promptly disseminating images of downed Indian aircraft and leveraging international media, Pakistan projected a narrative of resilience and victimhood. This portrayal was bolstered by reports suggesting Pakistan’s diplomatic gains, including support from allies like China and Turkey, and a ceasefire brokered with U.S. involvement .
Compounding the issue, misinformation proliferated on social media platforms. A notable instance involved a fabricated CNN infographic falsely indicating higher Indian casualties, which went viral before being debunked. Such incidents undermined India’s position and highlighted the challenges of managing information in the digital age.
Voices of Dissent and Defense
Amidst the cacophony, several Indian commentators and defense analysts took to X (formerly Twitter) to challenge Pakistan’s narrative and present India’s perspective:
- Abhijit Iyer-Mitra: Known for his incisive commentary on defense and strategic affairs, Iyer-Mitra critically analyzed Pakistan’s claims, emphasizing inconsistencies and highlighting India’s strategic responses.
- Anand Ranganathan: A prominent voice in Indian media, Ranganathan underscored the importance of countering misinformation and advocated for a robust information strategy to complement military actions.
- Siddhant Sibal: As a seasoned journalist, Sibal provided on-ground reports and fact-checked claims circulating on social media, striving to present an accurate account of events.
- Aditya Raj Kaul: Kaul’s reporting focused on exposing propaganda and providing clarity amidst the deluge of conflicting information, reinforcing India’s stance on the international stage.
- Shiv Aroor: With expertise in defense journalism, Aroor dissected military developments and addressed misinformation, offering nuanced insights into the conflict dynamics.
- Rahul Shivshankar: As a news anchor, Shivshankar facilitated discussions that delved into the complexities of the conflict, ensuring diverse perspectives were represented.
- Major Surendra Poonia: Drawing from his military background, Poonia provided commentary that emphasized the valor of Indian forces and the strategic imperatives guiding India’s actions.
- Lt. Gen. KJS Dhillon: Leveraging his experience, Lt. Gen. Dhillon offered authoritative insights into the operational aspects of the conflict and the broader strategic considerations.
The Path Forward
The recent conflict underscores the imperative for India to not only engage effectively on the battlefield but also to assertively manage the information domain. Developing a comprehensive strategy that encompasses real-time communication, counter-disinformation efforts, and proactive narrative shaping is crucial. Empowering credible voices and leveraging digital platforms can enhance India’s ability to present its perspective and counter adversarial narratives.
In an era where perception often shapes reality, mastering the information war is as vital as achieving military objectives. India’s experience serves as a poignant reminder of the multifaceted nature of modern conflicts and the need for holistic approaches to national security.
In this article, we would like to share the thoughts of Major Dr. Surendra Poonia, VSM, on this topic where I stumbled across this post below that went viral over social media. These observations made by Major Poonia intrigued me to perform post-war analysis.
When I analyzed what Major Dr. Surendra Poonia has put forth, here are few strategic points while discussing this issue at length:
Turkey – Forever Pro Pakistan – Recently, we have seen how Turkey came to support Pakistan amidst a bitter conflict between both nations, which strained its relations with India. Turkey supplied drones to Pakistan during recent hostilities, leading to calls for boycotts of Turkish products and travel in India.
Turkey and Pakistan have a historically strong relationship, mostly influenced by the Islamic Brotherhood and Ummah. Their ties date back to the Turkish War of Independence, when Muslims from pre-independent India supported the Ottoman Empire financially. Over the years, this bond has evolved into a strategic partnership, with Turkey providing military and diplomatic support to Pakistan, mostly against the Indian interests.
India can only trust the Russia
India and Russia have historically maintained strong ties, primarily in defense and strategic cooperation. During the ongoing conflict with Pakistan, Russia has supported India’s stance. Russia has been a major supplier of military equipment to India, including fighter jets, tanks, and missile systems.
Russia remains the most reliable partner for India, and India can count on Russia for military supplies and diplomatic support amidst any situation.
War instantly unites 1.4 billion Indians
The ongoing India-Pakistan conflict has sparked unprecedented national unity across the nation. The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which killed 26 civilians, evoked an emotional outburst. India’s swift and strong military response—Operation Sindoor— met with an overwhelming public support. Citizens from all walks of life rallied behind the armed forces, reinforcing a collective national identity.
Bollywood, Sports Stars & NRI CEOs will stay silent
The ongoing India-Pakistan conflict has led to a deafening silence from Bollywood celebrities, sports stars, and NRI CEOs. Historically, these public figures are quite vocal on any issue, but they hardly speak up when the victims are Hindus. We have seen how these people expressed their anguish when any Muslim is at the receiving end, but always keep their eyes closed towards Hindus. At the same time, several celebrities started tweeting once both Governments stopped the armed conflict.
Some Media & ‘Journalists’ are either ISI Agents or have Pakistani Fathers
We have seen how certain Indian journalists, Social Media Influencers, and Media Houses have taken pro-Pakistan stance during the ongoing India-Pakistan conflict. Journalists such as Ravish Kumar, Social Media Influencers such as Dhruv Rathi, and Neha Singh Rathore and print media like The Wire first questioned Modi government for no-action, then criticized India’s military actions, questioning the government’s decisions and highlighting civilian casualties in Pakistan. Once the Indian Armed Forces upped the ante, these people started crying for De-escalation, and once Indian Army stopped the action, they started accusing PM Modi and remembering Ex PM Indira Gandhi.
India lacks info-war strategy- urgently needs a National Information Warfare Command
India is facing significant challenges in information warfare, especially amid the ongoing conflict with Pakistan. Experts argue that Pakistan has intensified its disinformation campaigns, using doctored visuals and fake narratives to distort global and domestic perceptions.
India currently lacks a centralized Information Warfare Command, which could help counter misinformation, cyber threats, and psychological operations. India should Strengthen fact-checking networks, invest in AI-driven monitoring tools, enhance media literacy and Build international Media alliances.
IMF – Indirect Sponsor of Terrorism
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has faced criticism for its financial assistance to Pakistan, with concerns that funds could be misused for state-sponsored terrorism. India recently abstained from an IMF vote approving a $1 billion loan to Pakistan, citing the risk that the money could be diverted to support cross-border militant activities.
The harder you hit Pak Army, the straighter they walk in fear
India’s military strikes on Pakistan, under Operation Sindoor, were aimed at dismantling terror infrastructure and neutralizing threats posed by militant groups operating from Pakistani soil. But at the same time Indian Armed Forces dismantled multiple strategic assets of Pakistani Army. It is important to hit Pakistani Army as it is the entity which nurtures the Terrorism University in Pakistan. It is the Pakistani Army which is responsible for all Terror attacks in India.
Indian Armed Force & Scientists are simple extraordinary
India’s armed forces and scientists have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and innovation amid the ongoing conflict with Pakistan. Following Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, India’s military and scientific community have played a crucial role in national defense.
Our Armed Forces and Scientists were the primary reason behind the Precision Strikes on Terror and Pakistani Army assets. The indigenously made Advanced Defense Systems successfully intercepted Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes, showcasing technological superiority. And last but not the least, our Armed forces carried out massive strike against the enemy with so much impunity.
Pakistan is no match for India – Militarily or Economically
India holds a decisive edge over Pakistan in both military strength and economic power. Militarily, India’s $81 billion defense budget, advanced fighter jets, and 1.46 million active troops vastly surpass Pakistan’s capabilities.
Economically, India’s $3.7 trillion GDP and $627 billion foreign reserves contrast sharply with Pakistan’s struggling economy, heavily reliant on foreign aid. This strategic superiority ensures India remains dominant in regional affairs.
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