Virtual Warzones

Spread of misinformation during military standoffs, one between India and Pakistan recently for example, inflames geopolitical tensions by sparking fear, inciting violence, and sowing distrust. It not only distorts reality but also polarises societies and manipulates public sentiment, leading to heightened anxiety and trauma among the public

- ANISHA KHATUN, OP

In the age of digital warfare, the battlefield has expanded beyond borders into the chaotic terrain of social media, where influencers, trolls, and nationalistic hashtags often shape public opinion more potently than official narratives.

The recent Indo-Pak military standoff is a case in point.

While the Indian Army focused on neutralizing threats on the physical battlefield, the digital domain has emerged as a crucial second front. The neighbouring country's attempts to spread misinformation through social media and other digital platforms have become a significant challenge.

Platforms like Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram have become arenas of rapid-fire information—some of it true, much of it not—amplifying emotions and distorting reality in the name of patriotism, outrage, or virality. This phenomenon was starkly visible in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, India's precision strike against terrorist camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in May 2025.