The terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, has not only escalated the long-standing hostilities between India and Pakistan. It also revealed the alarming role of digital disinformation.
While the nation grieved the loss of innocent lives, the digital platforms became the epicentre for falsified visions, bot-generated hashtags, and algorithmically driven propaganda
While the nation grieved the loss of innocent lives, the digital platforms became the epicentre for falsified visions, bot-generated hashtags, and algorithmically driven propaganda. What emerges is not only a security challenge. Rather, a display of weaponized nationalism and digitally designed outrage.
In both India and Pakistan, the digital media advanced rapidly from being guardians of democracy to becoming battlegrounds of digital manipulation. Within hours of the 6th May Indian attack, hashtags denouncing Pakistan spiked. AI-generated visuals and videos of heavy editing started spreading across Twitter (Now X), Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, and so on. Indian media claims that those killed in Bahawalpur have a connection with Jaish-e-Muhammad’s Masood Azhar, strengthening Delhi’s narrative that its strikes were against militants.
A reverse image search demonstrated that the footage was from an Iranian missile strike on Israel, shot more than seven months ago
A particular viral video claimed to show an Indian missile strike in Pakistan adminstered Kashmir. Shared with hashtag #OperationSindoor it got more than five million views. The footage indicated that missiles were lighting up the night sky. The footage was aired by Indian media outlets as live footage of retaliatory attacks. However, a reverse image search demonstrated that the footage was from an Iranian missile strike on Israel, shot more than seven months ago. The clip was fabricated and had a logo similar to an Indian broadcaster (Doordarshan India), DD for increased credibility.
A second clip depicted chaotic scenes of wounded civilians, children crying, and people speaking Arabic. This video was also falsely reported to show the aftermath of the Indian strike in Pakistan
A second clip depicted chaotic scenes of wounded civilians, children crying, and people speaking Arabic. This video was also falsely reported to show the aftermath of the Indian strike in Pakistan. In reality, it was recorded footage Gaza weeks ago. Despite clear evidence of manipulation, these videos were popularly distributed and discussed on prime-time television.
Social media platforms have effectively become geopolitical actors, driven by engagement metrics. These platforms not only report conflicts, but create them. Ironically, algorithms meant to enhance sensational content favor falsehood over facts. As Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat, said to the effect, “social media algorithms reward engagement, not accuracy.” This model, based on engagement, makes platforms specifiable coordinated attempts at manipulation of national narratives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi labelled the attack a “brazen act of terror” and vowed a “muscular” response
This intersection between digital disinformation and political opportunity was illustrated by the Indian government’s reaction to the Pahalgam attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi labeled the attack a “brazen act of terror” and vowed a “muscular” response. Within a few hours, unconfirmed news of a cross-border strike was spread online and amplified by television networks. The Indian government neither confirmed nor denied these reports immediately, thus, speculation and digital nationalism prevailed.
Mainstream Indian media acted complicit in stoking flames. Instead of investigating facts or advocating e-escalation, many television channels resorted to war room’s histrionics. The screen then played dramatic music, sensational visuals, and slogans like “India strikes back”. Circulating unverified and sensational claims, alleging the destruction of Karachi port, an attack on Islamabad and that prime minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif was forced to surrender. All these claims were based on unverified social media disinformation and proven to be false by fact checkers. Such misinformation was used to shape public perception and ignite nationalism. This is what scholars call “militarized media populism,” where journalism becomes an instrument for political mobilization.
Delhi’s ambition at a larger scale appears clearer, for reshaping its relation with Pakistan, which it considers to be an obstacle to its emergence as a regional power
This trend appears to fall within a broader context that can be referred to as “electoral militarism”. Domestically ruling parties seek to consolidate political power by portraying external conflict as a display of assertive activity. The timing of the cross-border strikes before India’s 2025 general election further complicates the situation, making it more controversial. By transforming public national security problems into a political spectacle. it not only misguides public discourse but also escalates the threat of actual conflict. Delhi’s ambition at a larger scale appears clearer, for reshaping its relation with Pakistan, which it considers to be an obstacle to its emergence as a regional power.
India’s huge digital population adds another complication to the mix. In a 2022 survey, it was found that only 38% of Indian users were confidently able to distinguish between fake news. According to the World Economic Forum’s global risks report (2024), India ranked highest globally when it comes to the prevalence of misinformation.
EU DisinfoLab’s investigation of 2019 revealed 265 fake local news sites across 65 countries, all managed by Indian influence networks to escalate negativity for Pakistan
India’s disinformation network has not only domestic audiences as its target but also extends up to international platforms. EU DisinfoLab’s investigation of 2019 revealed 265 fake local news sites across 65 countries, all managed by Indian influence networks to escalate negativity for Pakistan. By 2020, this network stretched to 750 fake news websites across 116 countries, as revealed in the India Chronicles investigation. Such platforms, including OpIndia and Postcard News, continue to play a central role in propagating unverified and politically charged narratives.
These platforms exploit nationalistic devotion, presenting partisan views as facts and suppressing alternative viewpoints. The outcome is an extremely polarized digital environment in which protest is blended with disloyalty. The Indian digital strategy has become a fertile ground for what can only be termed “weaponized nationalism”.
Meanwhile, Pakistani digital reaction has mirrored these tactics, creating its echo chamber of outrage and self-defense. Yet, the global outreach of India’s digital influence operations is so vast. The propaganda strategy based on the deceptive use of disinformation not only affects bilateral relations but also undermines the global trust in media and democratic institutions. The violent incident in Pahalgam has snowballed into a truth and accountability crisis.
The region will remain trapped in a loop of reaction, retaliation, and disinformation
In such a volatile climate, the responsibility of journalists, digital platforms, and civil society becomes more complex. The social media platforms are bound to revisit their engagement-oriented frameworks and make accuracy an upper hand over outrage. The government should not be persuaded to use foreign policy as a political tool. And, the media has to go back to its core principle to educate the public, not to incite them. Until then, the line between truth and propaganda will continue to blur. The region will remain trapped in a loop of reaction, retaliation, and disinformation.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
