The Indian Army has responded to a disinformation campaign allegedly orchestrated by Pakistani media and social media proxies, which has emerged following India’s firm stance to punish those responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. A defense ministry official stated on Saturday that various Pakistan-based outlets are attempting to discredit senior Indian Armed Forces officers through coordinated misinformation.
The official emphasized that such efforts have been thoroughly debunked by credible records and authoritative fact-checks, highlighting Islamabad’s tendency to resort to fake narratives whenever confronted with India’s decisive actions. Specifically, the campaign falsely claimed that Lieutenant General D.S. Rana, the Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency, was ‘sacked’ and exiled to a penal colony in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. However, the official clarified that Lieutenant General Rana has been elevated to the rank of Commander-in-Chief in situ, transitioning to head the prestigious Andaman and Nicobar Command on June 1, 2025.
In another instance, pro-Pakistani social media handles suggested that Lieutenant General M.V. Suchindra Kumar was ‘shunted out’ of Northern Command due to security failures tied to the Pahalgam attack. The truth is that Lieutenant General Suchindra Kumar retired honorably on April 30, 2025, after nearly four decades of distinguished service, with the command change being pre-announced as part of routine military procedures.
The claims extended to Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar, who was allegedly ‘dismissed’ for not engaging in a war against Pakistan. The official noted that Air Marshal Dharkar completed his full tenure and retired on April 30, 2025, receiving a ceremonial guard of honor and paying tribute at the National War Memorial. Air Marshal Tiwari has since taken over the role in a planned transition, signifying an orderly succession.
These misleading narratives have surfaced in close proximity to India’s measured diplomatic and military postures following the Pahalgam incident. The official pointed out that such fabrications seem designed to create doubt about India’s military readiness. They are propagated by a network of Pakistani-origin accounts known for previously disseminating misinformation regarding critical events, including the Balakot airstrike and the capabilities of India’s Rafale jets.
To counteract this misinformation, the Integrated Defence Staff and the Ministry of Defence have issued clarifications quickly, ensuring that the false claims did not gain traction domestically. The Indian government has also blocked several Pakistani-origin channels that disseminated doctored content, adhering to India’s Information Technology Rules of 2021.
Despite these external attempts to undermine credibility, the Indian Armed Forces are reported to remain fully mission-ready, with senior leadership transitions occurring smoothly under established protocols. The official concluded that Pakistan’s recent disinformation campaign reflects its desperation in light of India’s unwavering response to cross-border terrorism, reaffirming that the Indian Armed Forces will remain focused on their mission, anchored in transparency and professionalism, free from distractions of propaganda.
Tags: NATIONAL, News Alert
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/05/03/pakistan-has-launched-a-disinformation-campaign-indian-army/
Category : NATIONAL,News Alert
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Publish Date: 2025-05-03 22:01:00
