Cyber espionage is a crucial aspect of India’s fifth generation warfare (5GW) strategy. Indian intelligence agencies, particularly the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), conduct extensive cyber surveillance on Pakistani officials, military personnel, and government databases.
The aim is to gather classified information and monitor Pakistan’s military activities, especially its nuclear capabilities and defence systems. Additionally, India’s involvement in proxy warfare remains a critical element of its 5GW approach against Pakistan.
Rather than engaging in direct conflict, India is alleged to support insurgent groups, separatist movements, and terrorist organizations within Pakistan. This strategy seeks to destabilize Pakistan by fostering internal conflict and weakening the authority of its central government. India has been accused of backing terrorism movements in Pakistan, particularly in the volatile province of Balochistan. The region has long been plagued by insurgency movements, with Pakistan accusing India of supporting Baloch separatist groups.
The ongoing propaganda and misinformation campaign, particularly from India, aimed at destabilizing and undermining Pakistan and AJK, requires prompt action from both the state and individuals. People strongly reject these malicious actions and urge the international community to hold India accountable, pressing it to cease interference in Pakistan and AJK and stop its heinous efforts to destabilize the region
According to reports from Pakistani intelligence sources, Indian operatives, particularly from RAW, are believed to have played a role in training, funding, and equipping Baloch insurgents. These actions have led Pakistan to accuse India of violating its sovereignty. Incidents like the 2016 Uri attack and the 2019 Pulwama bombing are examples where India falsely blamed Pakistan for supporting militant groups in Kashmir. Pakistan, however, denies these accusations, stating that India’s military presence and policies are the main drivers of unrest in the region.
Economic warfare is also a key component of 5GW, and India has been accused of using it to weaken Pakistan’s economy. India’s use of social media to fuel defiance against Pakistan and its institutions, including the Pakistan Army in Azad Kashmir, is a prominent topic in regional politics. Pakistan frequently exposes India’s use of hybrid warfare tactics, such as leveraging social media platforms to destabilize the region and undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty. The Indian Chronicles and EU Disinfo Lab serve as clear evidence of India employing indirect and hybrid warfare methods to destabilize Pakistan and its institutions, including targeting the sensitive region of AJK.
Past incidents show that India has struggled to implement successful direct strategies against Pakistan, leading to ta “phantom strike” strategy. This involves conducting coordinated social media campaigns to spread disinformation, sow division, and incite unrest among the people of AJK. One such phantom strike involved media manipulation, while another was the “Balakot” airstrike. Both incidents led to India’s humiliation as the truth on the ground exposed its lies, and the Balakot airstrike, dubbed “Operation Bunder,” quickly became a scandal.
After failing to gain any significant advantage through direct attacks, India now focuses on this “phantom strategy,” covert operations to generate confusion and instability without direct attribution. India is reportedly using fake accounts, bots, and coordinated networks in AJ&K and abroad to manipulate public opinion and create a false narrative of dissent against the Pakistan Army and the state of AJ&K.
This strategy aims to recruit agents within AJ&K and among the diaspora who can foster doubt about the truth and support the Indian narrative when media campaigns are launched. The Pakistan Army remains the primary target of these well-coordinated and orchestrated campaigns. Recent events, such as the incidents in Mandol, Tetrinote, and Neelam village— where a snow-slide incident was portrayed as public defiance— highlight how India has used social media platforms and a small number of agents to create false narratives undermining trust in the Pakistan Army and misrepresenting its role in AJK, as well as its treatment of the locals.
Unfortunately, certain internal elements in both Pakistan and AJK align themselves with India’s agenda. One example of this is the Awami Action Committee (AWC). While India has banned the AWC in Indian-Held Kashmir, it is free to speak and protest in AJK. However, it appears that it is misusing this freedom. The AWC continues to make unjust calls for protests and has shown a lack of respect for Ramazan. No protests have been organized by the AWC in AJK against Indian atrocities or its ban in Indian-Held Kashmir. Many perceive this as it showing a soft stance towards India.
Following the recent terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express, anti-national social media accounts were reportedly involved in spreading false propaganda. The terrorists involved in the attack, were said to be in contact with a mastermind abroad. These social media accounts spread fake information, using artificial intelligence videos, old photos, fabricated WhatsApp messages, and posters.
Indian media also played a role in perpetuating this misinformation, analyzing the situation through the lens of self-proclaimed fugitive Baloch leaders based outside Pakistan. Through its phantom strike strategy, India aims to exploit local grievances in Pakistan and AJK— grievances more pronounced in Indian-Held Kashmir— such as economic challenges and administrative issues. India seeks to amplify these issues via social media to create a false narrative of widespread discontent against Pakistan and the Pakistan Army. In AJK, the grand celebrations of events like Independence Day, Defence Day, Kashmir Black Day and Kashmir Solidarity Day reflect the unbreakable bond between Kashmiris and Pakistanis. The people of AJK genuinely wish for their fellow Kashmiris in Indian-Held Kashmir to experience freedom and prosperity. The current Chief Minister of Indian-Held Kashmir himself acknowledged, in an interview with the BBC, that his powers are limited, while the Lieutenant Governor holds absolute powers. The Kashmiri people are reigniting the Kashmir freedom movement.
In the digital age, social media has become a central part of our lives, offering numerous benefits. However, this increased connectivity also brings a serious downside: the spread of false propaganda and misinformation. Whether it’s fake news, conspiracy theories, or misleading content, misinformation on social media can have far-reaching consequences.
Understanding misinformation and how it spreads is the first step in protecting ourselves. One of the simplest ways to avoid falling for misinformation is to verify the credibility of the source. Before believing or sharing any post, ask questions like: Who is the author or organization behind the content? Are they reputable or known for spreading false information? Does the platform hosting the content have a solid reputation for accuracy? Established news outlets and institutions often have fact-checking mechanisms in place. Is the post from a verified account? While not all unverified accounts spread false information, verification can be a good sign that the account is trustworthy.
It’s also important not to rely on a single social media post or account for information. Look for confirmation from well-established news sites, independent fact-checking organizations and experts. If several trustworthy sources verify the information, it’s likely accurate. If the story only appears on one platform and cannot be verified by others, it’s a red flag.
Misinformation often aims to provoke strong emotions, since emotionally charged content is more likely to be shared and go viral. Before sharing emotionally charged content, pause and evaluate it. Critical thinking is essential. If a piece of information is intended to provoke strong emotions, it could be an attempt to manipulate you.
The language used can also provide hints about its credibility. Misinformation often relies on sensational or alarmist phrases like “shocking,” “breaking news,” or “this will change everything.” It may also make bold, sweeping claims without reliable evidence. In contrast, credible news outlets typically maintain a neutral tone and are careful to qualify their statements. Phrases like “reports suggest” or “experts say” indicate the information is based on evidence or expert opinion, rather than unsubstantiated claims.
Sometimes, misinformation stems not from false facts but misinterpretation or outdated information. Something once true may resurface on social media but no longer be relevant. Before sharing a post, check the publication date. Also, consider whether the content still holds true in the current context or if it’s being taken out of context to mislead.
Several fact-checking tools are available. Using these tools can help you ensure the accuracy of the information. Understanding how misinformation spreads can help you identify it more easily. Common tactics used to spread falsehoods include misleading titles or headlines designed to generate clicks but which often misrepresent the content, using seemingly authoritative voices to lend credibility to false information, and manipulating videos or audio recordings to make someone appear to say or do something they didn’t.
Social media algorithms often show content that aligns with your beliefs, reinforcing existing biases and making it easier for misinformation to spread in isolated groups. Being aware of these tactics can help you spot misleading content.
Finally, one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from misinformation is to promote media literacy. This involves not just consuming information but critically engaging with it. Encourage others to question sources, recognize their biases, and understand how algorithms influence the content they see. Schools, workplaces, and community groups can all play a role in promoting media literacy, ensuring that people of all ages and backgrounds are equipped with the tools to navigate the complex digital information landscape.
If you encounter false or harmful content, take responsibility by reporting it on the platform. Social media networks typically have reporting mechanisms for flagging misinformation or harmful propaganda, and reporting it can help reduce its spread. Additionally, sharing correct information from reliable sources can help counter the false narrative. By actively fighting misinformation, you help others stay informed with the truth.
The ongoing propaganda and misinformation campaign, particularly from India, aimed at destabilizing and undermining Pakistan and AJK, requires prompt action from both the state and individuals. People strongly reject these malicious actions and urge the international community to hold India accountable, pressing it to cease interference in Pakistan and AJK and stop its heinous efforts to destabilize the region.
