Amid heightened tension along the border following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Pakistani media and their proxy social media handles have launched a disinformation campaign against India’s armed forces officers.
The campaign was launched as New Delhi is weighing its response to the deadly attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, on April 22.
“In the wake of India’s firm resolve to punish the perpetrators of the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, several Pakistan-based media outlets and proxy social media handles have launched a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting senior Indian armed forces officers,” a defence ministry official was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
He said such malicious campaigns have once again exposed Islamabad’s habitual resort to fake narratives whenever confronted with the prospect of decisive Indian action.
The spokesperson noted that some of the Pakistani channels had alleged that Lieutenant General D.S. Rana, Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency, had been 'sacked' and exiled to the 'Kala Pani penal colony in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to operational lapses.
However, he said, Lieutenant General Rana has been promoted to the rank of a Commander-in-Chief, which means he is now elevated to a higher rank in the same appointment as DG DIA.
Similarly, Pakistani social media handles reported that Lieutenant General M.V. Suchindra Kumar was ‘shunted out’ of Northern Command for security failures linked to the Pahalgam attack. In fact, Lieutenant General Kumar retired honourably on April 30 upon superannuation after nearly four decades of distinguished service, said the spokesperson.
In another malicious campaign, Pakistani social media accounts claimed that Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar was dismissed for refusing to fight a war against Pakistan.
“Air Marshal Dharkar completed his full tenure and superannuated on 30 April 2025, receiving a ceremonial guard-of-honour and paying homage at the National War Memorial,” said the official.
India has blocked several Pakistani media websites and YouTube channels for allegedly publishing anti-India content. The social media accounts of several Pakistan-based celebrities have also been blocked.
The Pahalgam attack, the deadliest in the region in decades, has brought both India and Pakistan to the brink of a war, with New Delhi alleging cross-border links to the attack.
India has already taken a slew of punitive measures against the neighbouring country, including suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and downgrading of diplomatic ties. On Saturday, India suspended all trade ties with Pakistan.
