On May 9, India’s Ministry of Defence issued an advisory through its official X handle, urging media channels, digital platforms, and individuals to refrain from live coverage or real-time reporting of defence operations and security forces movements. Around the same time, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) emphasised the importance of sharing only official advisories, helplines, and verified updates to combat fake news.

These timely messages came in response to the flood of unverified information — often AI-generated — following the launch of Operation Sindoor by the Indian Armed Forces on May 7, which targeted Pakistani terrorist installations after the Pahalgam terrorist attack of April 22. A striking example occurred on May 8, when false reports about India’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant attacking Pakistani ports spread rapidly across social media and television networks, causing widespread alarm. This misinformation originated from a fraudulent X profile impersonating INS Vikrant with a fake verification badge, which lent it unwarranted credibility. Media outlets in India broadcasted the unverified story as breaking news, fuelling panic while Pakistan amplified this with fake news of widespread destruction.
Modern conflicts have evolved significantly, incorporating digital dimensions alongside conventional warfare. Research from King’s College London in 2020 highlighted that contemporary conflicts are increasingly “hybrid”, blending traditional military operations with sophisticated information campaigns. States now routinely leverage both traditional and social media platforms for “perception management” — manipulating public opinion to maintain legitimacy or destabilise opponents.

Several factors contribute to the rapid proliferation of misinformation during conflicts. Newsrooms, under immense pressure to break stories first, often bypass rigorous fact-checking procedures. Meanwhile, citizens anxious for updates readily share unverified content. Social media algorithms, designed to maximise engagement, tend to prioritise sensational content regardless of its veracity, creating perfect conditions for misinformation to thrive.
Beyond information warfare, sophisticated cyber attacks on computer networks — particularly critical infrastructure — represent another crucial dimension of digital warfare. Since tensions escalated after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, and India vowed to bring the terrorists to justice, networks in India have experienced numerous cyber attacks originating from Pakistani and other spoofed networks. These digital tactics have become inseparable companions to physical warfare, creating multi-domain battle spaces where information control and network disruption prove as crucial as territorial gains.
Recent international conflicts illustrate cyber warfare’s evolution. Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine involved devastating cyber attacks against Ukrainian infrastructure and communications, with Ukrainian hackers retaliating against Russian state media and financial systems. Similarly, following Hamas’s October 2023 terrorist attack, Israeli networks faced massive DDoS assaults while social media became flooded with disinformation campaigns featuring AI-generated imagery.

Digital battlegrounds present unique challenges compared to conventional warfare. Cyber operations can be executed remotely, making attribution exceptionally difficult. Attackers employ sophisticated techniques to mask their identities, using proxy servers and compromised systems. This ambiguity complicates diplomatic responses and challenges existing international legal frameworks. Should conflict escalate further, India would likely face increased cyber attacks targeting its infrastructure, military communications, and financial systems alongside conventional military threats.

How can India prepare for such scenarios? A comprehensive approach combining legal, diplomatic, and technological strategies is essential. Legally, India must continue expanding its cybersecurity jurisprudence under the Information Technology Act and other laws while advocating for clearer international norms regarding state-sponsored cyber attacks. Diplomatically, India should strengthen international cooperation through forums like the UN Group of Governmental Experts (GGE) on cyber security and use the bilateral partnerships with technologically advanced nations to expose the Pakistani cyber attacks. The GGE report from July 2021 offers valuable guidance in this direction.
On the technological front, India must invest more substantially in both defensive and offensive cyber capabilities. Critical infrastructure requires hardening against attacks through regular security audits, network segmentation, and resilient backup systems. The National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) and Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) must enhance their capabilities to identify and neutralise evolving threats. Regulatory bodies need to engage stakeholders under their jurisdiction, ensuring constant network monitoring while educating citizens about cybersecurity best practices. The Reserve bank of India guidelines to banks is a right step in this direction.

The fight against digital warfare — encompassing both misinformation and cyber attacks — demands a calculated approach by the government that actively involves citizens. This multi-pronged challenge requires vigilance, coordination, and constant adaptation. As conventional and digital battlespaces increasingly converge, India’s national security depends not just on military readiness but also on information resilience and cybersecurity preparedness. With proper planning and implementation of comprehensive strategies, India can navigate these digital threats with confidence and maintain its security in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/during-operation-sindoor-lets-not-forget-about-digital-warfare-9993233/