Understanding Information Warfare in the 21st Century
The nature of warfare has changed drastically over the centuries. In the early days, battles were fought in close combat with swords, shields, and physical strength. As time progressed, the development of muskets, rifles, and small explosives changed the dynamics of the battlefield. Then came the era of cavalry-based warfare, where speed and mobility gave armies a new advantage. Around the time of the Second World War, military aviation emerged. Fighter planes and bombers added an entirely new dimension to war, leading to deadly aerial combat. Soon after, the involvement of non-state actors like terrorists and guerrilla fighters began to influence global conflicts.
As warfare evolved, so did the tools and techniques used to fight it. One of the most significant transformations has been the shift towards non-kinetic means—methods that do not rely on physical destruction but instead aim to win wars through psychological and informational dominance. Among these, information warfare has become a powerful and dangerous weapon.
Historically, propaganda has always played a role in war. Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime was a major practitioner of this tactic. He even appointed a separate minister for propaganda whose job was to control public opinion and promote antisemitic ideology. This laid the groundwork for what we today call information warfare, or as many refer to it, misinformation and disinformation warfare.
I am writing this blog in the context of a very recent and unfortunate event that unfolded in India. On April 22, a barbaric terror attack was carried out in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, by a Pakistan-based terror group called The Resistance Front (TRF), which is a sub-group of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). In this attack, 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali tourist lost their lives. Among those killed were also personnel from the Indian Armed Forces.
Following the attack, it was evident that Pakistan anticipated a strong retaliatory response from India. After several high-level meetings chaired by the Prime Minister, it became clear that India would strike back. However, the timing and location of the response were unknown to the public.
In the night between May 6 and 7, India launched a precision strike using standoff weapons and Indian Air Force fighter jets. The targets were multiple terror hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). In response, on the following day, Pakistan attempted an attack on multiple Indian airbases, stretching from the northern region of J&K down to Kutch and Bhuj in Gujarat. However, these attacks were successfully neutralized by India's strong air defense systems.
While these military actions were happening, another war was being fought in the digital space—a campaign of misinformation and propaganda. Several social media accounts, especially on platform X (formerly Twitter), believed to be operated from Pakistan, began spreading false news to create confusion and panic in India.
Anticipating such tactics, the Indian government took preventive steps. Before May 7, it had already banned or withheld several Pakistani YouTube channels and X accounts. These included not just individual accounts, but also official accounts of the Pakistani government, public figures like actors and actresses, and some major news networks from across the border.
But what was the reason behind this?
The main aim of such misinformation campaigns is to create mistrust in the government, spread confusion among citizens, and disturb peace within society. These campaigns try to manipulate public opinion, increase communal tension, and create pressure on the government by making citizens feel insecure. Sometimes, the goal is even more long-term—to change the way people think and to build a negative image of their own country and its leadership.
So how do these misinformation campaigns actually work?
Those behind these campaigns create several fake accounts on social media platforms. Some use their original identities, while others pretend to be Indian citizens in order to gain credibility. These accounts then start posting fake and sensational news, especially during times of crisis when people turn to social media for instant updates.
Fake posts started appearing with headlines like "Five Indian jets shot down," "Indian female pilot captured," "Heavy shelling on Indian border cities," and "Delhi will fall by tomorrow." These posts are designed to look authentic and are often backed by edited videos or fake documents made to resemble official government communications. Some even use old video footage of crashed Indian jets, claiming it as fresh evidence of the current conflict.
The real danger comes when television news channels, eager to break stories, pick up this false information from social media. Once the news is on television and repeated multiple times, it begins to look real to the common viewer. The repeated exposure leads people to believe the lies, causing fear, anger, and panic. In extreme cases, it can lead to protests or even violence.
This is the essence of non-kinetic warfare—a battle without weapons but with the power to shake a nation internally. Unlike kinetic warfare, which involves guns, bombs, and troops, information warfare aims to win the battle of perception.
So what can we do to stay alert and avoid falling into the trap of misinformation?
The first step is to always verify any news before sharing or reacting to it. Refer to official websites for authentic information. Follow government-run fact-checking agencies like PIB Fact Check. Wait for statements from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and rely on trusted journalists who report with responsibility and facts.
Disinformation does not just confuse people—it shakes the foundation of trust. When citizens start believing in fake news, they begin to doubt their government, armed forces, and even fellow countrymen. This weakens national unity.
Psychologically, continuous exposure to panic-driven content increases anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. People start spreading these fake updates in WhatsApp groups and family chats, unknowingly becoming part of the misinformation chain.
Socially, it creates divisions. If propaganda targets specific communities, it can spark communal tension. One false news can turn neighbors against each other.
From a military standpoint, disinformation distracts the public and even decision-makers. It can pressure leaders into reacting emotionally or before verifying facts. The enemy uses it to create internal pressure so that the government hesitates in making strong decisions.
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