Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has intensified its disinformation machine, using ISI-connected troll networks and internet propagandists to falsely assert that top Indian military officials were ousted for failures concerning the attack — a charge outrightly denied by Indian authorities on Saturday.
Pakistan's recent bout of disinformation is a reflection of its desperation due to India's calibrated but firm stance against cross-border terrorism. The Indian Defence Forces — based on transparency, professional ethics, and constitutional oversight — will not be swayed by propaganda," a senior government official in India stated.
To counter this deluge of misinformation, India's cyber surveillance bureaus and govt. networks have embarked upon an assertive fact-check mission. Pakistani-origination rumors have been briskly debunked, with cooperative efforts at downing posts, blocking enemy networks and handles, and asserting the combat preparedness of the Indian armed forces.
New Delhi officials have found a definite trend in the frequency and targeting of these fabrications.
“Each false claim surfaced within hours of New Delhi’s calibrated diplomatic and military signalling after the Pahalgam outrage. Also, senior commanders in charge of intelligence, Northern theatre operations, and air-power employment were singled out to sow doubt about India’s preparedness,” an official noted.
One of the unsubstantiated rumors floating around on the internet was that two senior officers — one belonging to the Army's Northern Command and the other to the Indian Air Force — had been "shunted" following the Pahalgam attack. Official sources, however, made it clear that both officers had merely retired on April 30 after long and illustrious military careers. Their replacements were appointed well before the April 22 Baisaran Valley massacre that took 26 lives.
Yet another false claim was made about Lieutenant General D.S. Rana, Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency. Pakistani media and troll handles inaccurately stated that he was sent to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a disciplinary action in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident.
In fact, according to official Indian reports, Lt Gen Rana has been promoted to the rank of Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) — a senior tri-service appointment — from June 1.
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