Meta uncovers Chinese-run operation amplifying Khalistani agenda

In a revelation confirming the close working relationship between Pakistan and China’s intelligence agencies, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, has dismantled a network operated from China with the intention of promoting Khalistani sentiments among Sikh communities in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

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According to Meta’s investigation, this network operated 37 Facebook accounts, 13 Pages, five Groups, and nine Instagram accounts, and also used other social media platforms including Telegram and “X” (formerly Twitter). Investigators found that the handlers behind this network were also involved in activities uncovered by Meta in 2023 that spread misinformation impacting India and the Tibet region.

However, the number of such networks is likely to be in the hundreds, Indian officials believe, much of which is yet to be discovered.

The modus operandi of this network was to amplify the content of one another, with most of their engagement coming from their own fake accounts to make their campaign appear more popular than it was.

“This operation used compromised and fake accounts to pose as Sikhs, post content, and manage Pages and Groups. They appeared to have created a fictitious activist movement called Operation