Countering Disinformation Took 15% of Operation Sindoor’s Time: Chief of Defence Staff

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Saturday revealed that countering fake narratives and disinformation consumed approximately 15% of Operation Sindoor’s operational time, highlighting the growing significance of information warfare in modern military operations. Speaking at the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Chauhan detailed India’s multi-domain approach during the May 7 operation that targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

The CDS described Operation Sindoor as “a non-contact, multi-domain mission which included aspects like distributed force application, cyber and disinformation campaign, intelligence capabilities and network-centric operations.”

General Chauhan emphasized that the operation marked India’s strategic shift towards punitive deterrence through remote precision capabilities. The mission was launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

“While Pakistan may have leveraged Chinese commercial satellite imagery, there’s no proof of real-time targeting support. India, by contrast, relied on indigenous systems like Akash, achieving success through effective system networking,” Chauhan explained.

The operation integrated both domestic and foreign radars into a cohesive defence structure, showcasing the impact of modernization on India’s border defence capabilities.

The CDS highlighted that modern conflicts increasingly adopt flexible and deceptive strategies, making information warfare a critical component of military operations. During Operation Sindoor, dedicated efforts were required to counter misleading narratives spread by adversaries.

“Such narratives during the mission point to the need for a dedicated information warfare vertical, as demonstrated by India in its ‘fact-based communication, even at the cost of slower responses,'” Chauhan stated.

India’s approach prioritized accuracy over speed in public communications, reflecting a commitment to truth-based messaging despite operational pressures.

General Chauhan revealed that India’s air-gapped military systems remained secure throughout the operation, while public platforms faced only minor disruptions. This distinction demonstrated the effectiveness of India’s layered cybersecurity approach.

The separation between military and civilian digital infrastructure proved crucial in maintaining operational security while managing information warfare challenges.

The CDS emphasized that real-time integration across air, land, and sea domains relies heavily on network strength and reliability. He posed critical questions about optimal technology deployment strategies.

“He raised a crucial question about where cutting-edge technology should be embedded – within the weapon itself, the platform it’s deployed on, or the network that supports it,” highlighting ongoing strategic considerations.

Addressing the future of military technology, Chauhan discussed both opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence in warfare. He noted that military AI’s utility currently remains constrained by its reliance on open-source data.

“It must be integrated into operations, wargaming, and intelligence gathering to become truly impactful,” he explained, outlining AI’s potential evolution in military applications.

The CDS warned about potential risks associated with increased automation in military operations. “When fewer lives are at risk, decision-makers may act more aggressively,” he cautioned.

This observation highlighted the complex relationship between technological advancement and strategic decision-making in modern conflicts.

General Chauhan outlined India’s strategic pivot towards maritime domains due to geographical and geopolitical constraints. Border conflicts with China and instability in Myanmar have limited northern and eastern options.

“Due to geographical and geopolitical constraints to the north and east, particularly the border conflict with China and instability in Myanmar, the sea has become India’s strategic outlet,” he stated.

The CDS addressed concerns about nuclear escalation in undeclared conflicts, calling such scenarios “illogical.” He emphasized that all military actions carry costs and consequences.

“Nuclear escalation in undeclared wars is illogical, adding that no war is without cost,” Chauhan noted, providing strategic context for India’s operational calculations.