After Indian Armed Forces carried out Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory attack on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (Pok), a flurry of misinformation and propaganda from the neighbouring country has overtaken social media.

• This psychological warfare has been actively debunked by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), India.

About Psychological Warfare (PsyWar)

• Psychological warfare is the use of propaganda, threats, and misinformation to weaken the morale, will, and perception of adversaries during times of peace or conflict.
  • Targets include enemy forces, civilians, and even one’s own population.
  • Example: Broadcasting defeatist messages to enemy soldiers to induce surrender.

Historical Context

• Ancient and Classical Eras
  • Sun Tzu (The Art of War, ~5th century BCE): “All warfare is based on deception.” He advocated manipulating the enemy’s perception as a means to win without fighting.
  • Xerxes and Philip II of Macedon employed intimidation and misinformation to sow confusion and demoralize enemies.
  • Genghis Khan spread false rumors about his army’s size and brutality to terrify opponents into surrendering without battle.
• Pre-Modern and Colonial Period
  • Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense” (1776) during the American Revolution served as morale-boosting propaganda.
  • British use of pamphlets in colonial India to influence native troops and undermine nationalists.
  • Napoleonic Wars: Both sides used public decrees and newspapers to project false strength and demoralize enemies.
• World War Era
  • World War I: Both Allies and Central Powers used posters, pamphlets, and false stories (e.g., German atrocities) to influence neutral nations and enemy morale.
  • World War II:
    • Nazi Germany: Goebbels’ Ministry of Propaganda controlled all information to instill Nazi ideology.
    • Allied Powers: Dropped leaflets over German and Japanese troops encouraging surrender.
  • Psychological warfare became institutionalized through formal military psy-ops units.
• Cold War
  • USA vs USSR: Propaganda and disinformation campaigns via radio (e.g., Voice of America, Radio Free Europe), movies, education.
  • Use of black propaganda to blame events on third parties and information denial as strategic weapons.

Contemporary Context

• Technological Advancements: Social media, big data, and artificial intelligence have enabled targeted disinformation.
  • MADCOMs (Machine-Driven Communications) use AI to personalize and automate propaganda at scale. 

• Recent Examples
  • India-Pakistan Context: After Operation Sindoor (May 2025), Pakistan-based disinformation falsely claimed drone attacks, Indian post destruction, and missile strikes. 
    • All were debunked by India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB).
  • Russia
    • 2007 Estonia & 2008 Georgia cyberattacks: Used fake news and digital sabotage to cause panic.
    • 2016 US Elections: Russian state-sponsored actors spread false news, memes, and manipulated ads to influence voters, via the Internet Research Agency.

Tactics Used in Psychological Warfare

• Propaganda Dissemination: Spreading ideologically loaded information to influence minds.
  • Used to demonize the enemy, boost morale, or justify actions.
  • Example: Leaflets during WWII encouraging enemy soldiers to surrender.
• Disinformation Campaigns: Deliberate spread of falsehoods to confuse, mislead, or destabilize.
  • Includes fake news, doctored videos, forged letters, and misleading headlines.
  • Example: Fake video of missile attacks on India post-Operation Sindoor.
• Use of Bots, Trolls & MADCOMs: Use of automated accounts (bots) or AI-driven communication tools (MADCOMs) to amplify false narratives.
  • Creates a false consensus and rapidly spreads misinformation.
  • Example: Russia’s Internet Research Agency’s activity in the 2016 US election.
• Emotional Manipulation: Leveraging strong emotions (fear, anger, disgust) to intensify response.
  • Fake news that evokes emotional arousal is more likely to go viral.
  • Example: Anti-Clinton or religious content spread to provoke voter reaction.
• Rumors & Conspiracy Theories: Circulating unverifiable claims to exploit uncertainty or bias.
  • Often used to delegitimize opponents or institutions.
  • Example: “Obama born in Kenya” or “Wiretapping of Trump” conspiracies.
• False Flag Operations: Staging attacks or events to appear as if conducted by the opponent.
  • Creates confusion, turns public opinion, or justifies counteraction.
  • Supported in the Indian context by forged letters and manipulated news pieces.
• Psychological Targeting via Data Analytics: Using personal data to micro-target individuals with tailored psychological messaging.
  • Example: Cambridge Analytica’s profiling of 87 million Facebook users based on personality traits to influence voting behavior.

Advantages of Psychological Warfare (PsyWar)

• Non-Lethal but Highly Effective: PsyWar allows nations to achieve strategic goals without physical destruction.
  • Example: Russian disinformation in the 2016 US elections manipulated public opinion without firing a single shot, influencing voter turnout and trust in institutions.
• Cost-Effective Compared to Conventional Warfare: It is cheaper to deploy propaganda or bots than to launch military operations.

• Targets Morale and Willpower: Designed to break the spirit and confidence of both enemy troops and citizens.
• Exploits Existing Social Divisions: Amplifies pre-existing tensions to weaken societal cohesion and cause internal destabilization.
  • Example: Russian campaigns in the US targeted both pro- and anti-Black Lives Matter groups to provoke conflict on both sides.
• Enhances Hybrid Warfare Capabilities: PsyWar strengthens cyber and informational elements in hybrid conflict.
  • After Operation Sindoor (2025), Pakistan used forged videos and fake strike claims to confuse the Indian public and press.
• Scalable and Personalized via AI: AI tools like MADCOMs can personalize messages for millions simultaneously.
  • Example: Cambridge Analytica used personal traits (e.g., religious extrovert, neurotic introvert) to design custom political ads for 87 million users.

Disadvantages of Psychological Warfare (PsyWar)

• Erodes Trust in Institutions and Media: PsyWar blurs the line between fact and fiction, leading to widespread distrust in governments, journalism, and democratic systems.After Russia’s 2016 disinformation campaign, 64% of Americans reported confusion about basic facts due to fake news.
• Promotes Social Polarization and Conflict: By amplifying divisive narratives, PsyWar can intensify internal divisions and provoke civil unrest.
  • Disinformation after Operation Sindoor aimed to provoke religious and regional tensions.
• Can Escalate into Real-World Violence: Psychological operations in the virtual realm can have offline consequences, including violence and unrest.
  • Fake story about Hillary Clinton led a man to open fire in a pizza shop in Washington, D.C. (the “Pizzagate” incident).
• Undermines Electoral Integrity: Disinformation can distort public opinion, manipulate voting behavior, and compromise the legitimacy of elections.
  • Cambridge Analytica used psychographic data to design emotionally manipulative ads for millions of Facebook users during the US and Brexit elections.
• Difficult to Attribute and Regulate: PsyWar campaigns are often covert and anonymous, making attribution and accountability nearly impossible.
  • Russian propaganda pages on Facebook appeared as American grassroots movements, misleading both citizens and authorities.

Role of Media in Psychological Warfare

• Primary Channel for Dissemination: Media — especially digital and social media — is the central vehicle for spreading misinformation, disinformation, and propaganda.
  • After Operation Sindoor (May 2025), Pakistan circulated doctored videos and fake claims about missile strikes and Indian casualties.
• Amplification of False Narratives: The media often amplifies falsehoods faster than it corrects them, making it an unwitting accomplice in psychological operations.
  • Lies are more viral than truth — especially when they are emotionally charged.
• Emotional Manipulation through Content: Media content designed to provoke fear, anger, or disgust is more likely to be consumed and shared, fueling psychological manipulation.
  • False political news stories evoked stronger emotions (e.g., surprise, outrage) than factual ones, making them more likely to go viral.
  • Mechanism: Emotional contagion + motivated reasoning.
• Creation of Echo Chambers and Filter Bubbles: Algorithms used by digital platforms show users content that aligns with their beliefs, reinforcing biases and isolating them from dissenting views.
  • People are more likely to believe and spread news that reflects their political or ideological stance — especially in polarized societies.
  • False information becomes “truth” within ideological bubbles.
• Weaponization of Media by State and Non-State Actors: Media is not just a passive channel — it is an active tool in the hands of actors engaging in PsyWar.
  • Russia, Pakistan, and even private firms like Cambridge Analytica used media for targeted disinformation and psychological targeting.
• Media as a Double-Edged Sword: While the media can spread misinformation, it also plays a vital role in countering fake news and exposing disinformation.
  • Fact-checking platforms like Snopes, PIB Fact Check, and investigative journalists help detect and debunk fake narratives.

Government Initiatives to Tackle Psychological Warfare

• PIB Fact Check: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check Unit is the Government of India’s official fact-checking mechanism.
  • Function: Identifies and debunks fake news and disinformation related to government policies and defence matters.
• Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021: Aimed at increasing the accountability of social media platforms and digital news media.
  • Provisions: Platforms must trace the origin of harmful messages.
    • Remove content flagged by authorities within a fixed timeline.
  • Relevance: Helps curb the spread of fake news, misinformation, and psychological manipulation online.
• Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C): A multi-agency body under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • Purpose: Coordinates with various law enforcement and intelligence agencies on cyber threats, including information warfare.
  • Works closely with CERT-In to monitor fake news trends, digital propaganda, and psychological operations.
• CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team): Nodal agency under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).
  • Function: Detects and responds to cyber threats, including bot activity and misinformation networks.
  • Collaborates with international cybersecurity organizations and tech platforms for faster takedown of disinformation.
• Media Literacy Campaigns: Efforts by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and NGOs to educate the public on identifying fake news.
  • Promotes use of fact-checking tools, verification techniques, and responsible sharing of content.
  • Target: Students, rural users, and social media influencers.
• International Cooperation: India is engaging globally through:
  • QUAD, G20, and UN forums on cybersecurity and information warfare norms.
  • Bilateral cybersecurity agreements for intelligence sharing and tech collaboration to counter psychological warfare.

Way Forward to Tackle Psychological Warfare

• Strengthen Media Literacy and Public Awareness: Empower citizens to critically assess content and identify fake or manipulative narratives.
  • Introduce digital literacy in school curricula, promote fact-checking tools like PIB Fact Check, and run public awareness campaigns.
• Invest in Technology-Driven Countermeasures: Use AI and data analytics to detect and neutralize coordinated psychological operations in real-time.
  • India must build indigenous bot detection systems and real-time misinformation alert systems.
• Regulate Digital Platforms Without Curtailing Free Speech: Enforce accountability of social media platforms, while balancing it with constitutional freedoms.
  • Mandate traceability and fact-checking obligations for digital intermediaries.
  • Ensure compliance with IT Rules, 2021, and strengthen upcoming Digital India Act frameworks.
• Build Institutional Frameworks for PsyWar Resilience: Create specialized agencies or cells to monitor, analyse, and respond to psychological operations.
  • India needs a dedicated Information Warfare Command integrating military, intelligence, and media monitoring arms.
• Foster International Cooperation: Disinformation is a transnational threat; response requires cross-border partnerships.
  • Collaborate with friendly nations for threat intelligence on fake news campaigns and psy-ops.
• Encourage Ethical Journalism and Media Accountability: Strengthen internal codes of ethics and incentivize responsible, verified reporting.
  • Encourage media houses to verify stories before breaking news and support independent fact-checking units.
• Psychological Inoculation and Pre-bunking: Expose people to weakened forms of misinformation to help them resist future attacks (Inoculation Theory).
  • Government, civil society, and educators can use mock drills, media modules, and simulations.

Conclusion

To combat the escalating threat of misinformation and psychological warfare, nations must integrate advanced technological countermeasures, robust media literacy programs, and international cooperation. By fostering resilience through institutional frameworks and ethical journalism, societies can safeguard democratic integrity and national cohesion against manipulative narratives.

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