Centre Directs States to Crack Down on Anti-India Propaganda Post Operation Sindoor
The Centre has instructed all states and union territories to intensify surveillance and take swift action against anti-India propaganda spreading online following Operation Sindoor.
In a high-level directive issued on Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) asked states to identify and block social media accounts spreading fake narratives around Operation Sindoor or India’s internal security. The move follows a surge in misinformation allegedly originating from Pakistan in the wake of India’s targeted strikes on terror camps.
Officials said the advisory mandates immediate action under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which allows the government to restrict digital content in the interest of national security.
The advisory comes amid a flurry of misleading posts following India’s precision strikes on nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The misinformation, largely shared by pro-Pakistan accounts, falsely claimed Indian military losses — including an alleged Rafale jet downing and soldier captures — which were later debunked by Indian officials.
“State cyber cells have been alerted to monitor these accounts round-the-clock. False propaganda could disrupt public order and morale,” a senior official said, requesting anonymity.
The Centre also urged state governments—particularly those with sensitive border regions—to enhance coordination between local administration, paramilitary forces, and the Indian Army. Strengthening Centre-state communication was also highlighted as a key measure to prevent escalation and confusion during high-alert situations.
Operation Sindoor, executed early Wednesday, was India’s largest cross-border operation in recent years. Conducted jointly by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, the operation targeted camps run by Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen.
The air and ground assault was launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 Indian pilgrims. More than 90 terrorists are believed to have been neutralised, according to official estimates.
As Pakistan condemned the strikes as an “act of war,” its official and unofficial channels began circulating unverified and false claims. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who initially claimed that Indian soldiers had been captured, later retracted his statement after fact-checkers disproved the claim.
One viral image showing a burning aircraft was traced to an unrelated 2021 crash and had no link to the current conflict.
In addition to surveillance, the MHA has asked states to proactively counter rumours and educate the public about verifying information before sharing it. “Spreading panic benefits the enemy. It is vital to maintain public calm and unity,” the advisory added.
