**Summary:**
During "Operation Sindoor," the Government of India, through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), implemented a multi-pronged strategy to combat anti-India propaganda and misinformation, primarily originating from Pakistan-based sources. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check Unit (FCU) worked to identify and debunk fake news and edited videos targeting India and its Armed Forces.
Key actions taken included:
* **Providing Authentic Information:** Regular media briefings were conducted to disseminate accurate information regarding the operations carried out by the Defence forces, including the use of audiovisuals and satellite imagery.
* **Inter-Ministerial Coordination:** A 24/7 Control Room was established to facilitate real-time information dissemination to media stakeholders. The Control Room included representatives from the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, PIB, and other government media units.
* **Fact-Checking:** The PIB's FCU actively debunked Pakistani propaganda and misinformation, sharing fact-checked content with intermediaries for appropriate action.
* **Blocking of URLs:** Under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000, the government blocked over 1,400 URLs on digital media platforms found to be disseminating false, misleading, and anti-India news, communally sensitive content, and inciteful material against the Indian Armed Forces.
* **Media Advisory:** On April 26, 2025, the MIB issued an advisory to media channels, urging them to refrain from live coverage of defense operations and the movement of security forces to protect national security.
The initiative was led by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, with Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw providing updates to the Lok Sabha. Additional information can be obtained from Dharmendra Tewari and Navin Sreejith, Release ID: 2150213.
Key Entities Referenced
Operation Sindoor: A government initiative, likely a counter-propaganda operation, targeting fake news and misinformation, primarily originating from Pakistan, against India and its Armed Forces.
PIB Fact Check Unit: The official fact-checking unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) that worked to debunk Pakistani propaganda and counter anti-India narratives during Operation Sindoor.
Pakistan: Country from which anti-India propaganda and disinformation campaigns were originating, targeted by the Indian government.
Indian Armed Forces: The military forces of India, which were the subject of disinformation campaigns and propaganda efforts countered during Operation Sindoor.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The Indian government ministry responsible for issuing advisories and blocking URLs spreading anti-India propaganda.
Information Technology Act 2000: Indian law under which the government issued orders to block websites and social media content deemed harmful to the sovereignty and integrity of India.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting who submitted information about the government's actions in the Lok Sabha.
Delhi: Location of Press Information Bureau (PIB)
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government Debunks Pakistani Propaganda Against
India and Armed Forces via Official Fact-Check Unit
PIB Fact Check Unit worked round-the-clock During
Operation Sindoor to Spot and Stop Fake News,
Edited Videos and Counter Pakistan’s Anti-India
Propaganda with Swift Rebuttals
Government Blocks Over 1,400 URLs Spreading
Anti-India Propaganda During Operation Sindoor
Posted On: 30 JUL 2025 4:46PM by PIB Delhi
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
The Unit debunked Pakistani propaganda against India and Indian Armed Forces and fact-checked 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-pakistans-digital-propaganda-
with-swift-rebuttals-following-operation-sindoor
· Govt fact-checking unit swings into action in the wake of Operation Sindoor to highlight false claimshttps://www.livemint.com/industry/media/india-pib-govt-fact-checking-unit-operation-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-s-disinformation-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 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
th
On 26 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.
This information was submitted by the Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Shri Ashwini
Vaishnaw in the LokSabha today.
****
Dharmendra Tewari/ Navin Sreejith
(Release ID: 2150213)