Lok Sabha Question No. 150 (STARRED), answered on 2025-07-30
Subject: Combating Disinformation on Operation Sindoor
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Tejasvi Surya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *150 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025

## COMBATING DISINFORMATION ON OPERATION SINDOOR

## *150.  SHRI TEJASVI SURYA:

## Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of steps taken by the Government to combat fake news, fake accounts and disinformation regarding the Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam terror attack;
- (b) the details of other measures taken by the Government to direct traditional media platforms such as TV channels and newspapers to be sensitive in their reportage of the Operation Sindoor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  issued  any  directives  or  taken  action  against  any media platforms or individuals for their reportage or disinformation or spread of false news on the Operation Sindoor and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government is taking any other measures to protect the country from such disinformation campaigns in future and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *150 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.07.2025 ON COMBATING DISINFORMATION ON OPERATION SINDOOR

(a) to (d):

The  Government  takes  all  possible  actions  to  control  the  spread  of  fake  and  misleading information  with  the  available  statutory  and  institutional  mechanisms.    During  Operation Sindoor, it was observed that massive fake news, misinformation and propaganda campaigns were  being  run,  mostly  from  outside  India.  Government  took  active  steps  to  counter  such misinformation campaigns:

Providing authentic information: Government of India held periodic media briefings and kept  the  media  and  citizens  informed.  Details  of  operations  carried  out  by  Defence  forces were  explained  along  with  relevant  audio-visuals  and  satellite  imagery.  These  briefings provided authentic information.

Inter-ministerial coordination: During Operation Sindoor, a centralized Control Room was established  for  interdisciplinary  and  inter-departmental  coordination.  This  Control  Room functioned 24x7 and facilitated real-time information dissemination to all media stakeholders. This Control Room comprised nodal representatives from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, along with officers from various Government media units, and officials from the Press Information  Bureau  (PIB).  Social  media  handles  and  posts  spreading  fake  news  and misinformation were actively identified.

Factcheck: Fact  Check  Unit  under  the  PIB  actively  monitored  social  media  platforms  and online news sources in real time to detect fake images, edited videos, misleading narratives, and  any  manipulated  content  targeting  the  operation's  objectives,  government  agencies,  or security forces.

The Unit debunked Pakistani propaganda against India and Indian Armed Forces and factchecked many posts countering such content. Additionally, the links related to disinformation or false news concerning Operation Sindoor, fact-checked by the FCU, were promptly shared with concerned intermediaries for appropriate action.

The  efforts  of  the  Fact  Check  Unit  were  appreciated  by  media.  The  links  of  some  of  the articles are given below:

- India's FCU battles Pakistan's digital propaganda with swift rebuttals following 'Operation Sindoor'

https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2025/May/10/indias-fcu-battles-pakistansdigital-propaganda-with-swift-rebuttals-following-operation-sindoor

- Govt fact-checking unit swings into action in the wake of Operation Sindoor to highlight false claims

https://www.livemint.com/industry/media/india-pib-govt-fact-checking-unitoperation-sindoor-misinformation-false-claims-11746770729519.html

- How India is fighting Pakistan's disinformation campaign https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/how-india-is-fighting-pakistan-sdisinformation-campaign-101746644575505.html

Blocking: It  was  observed  that  certain  social  media  handles,  many  operating  from  outside India were actively propagating false and potentially harmful information. Under the Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000, Government issued necessary orders to block websites, social media handles and posts in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, and public order.

Ministry also issued directions for blocking of over 1,400 URLs on digital media during Operation Sindoor. The content of these URLs included false, misleading, anti-India news content, communally sensitive content primarily from Pakistan-based social media accounts and inciteful content against Indian Armed Forces.

Advisory to media: On 26 th April 2025, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to all Media channels to refrain from showing live coverage of defence operations and movement of security forces in the interest of national security.

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