New Delhi: During Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army faced a less visible but highly impactful front—fake news and disinformation. Misleading videos, false claims, and coordinated misinformation campaigns originating from across the border were circulated on social media, aiming not only to create confusion but also to undermine the credibility of military operations and institutions. While Indian forces and allied agencies countered these efforts, significant time and resources were spent in the process.
AI to the Rescue
Recognizing the scale of the challenge, the Army is now set to receive an indigenously developed AI-based system to identify and counter disinformation in real time. The Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, revealed that nearly 15 percent of operational time during Operation Sindoor was spent responding to fake news.
To tackle this, the Army has signed an MOU with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, in collaboration with industrial partner Indy Astra. The system will monitor social media and digital platforms, identify misinformation and disinformation, and generate automated reports.
Challenges and Advantages
The major hurdle in combating fake news is rapid detection. Given the massive scale and speed of social media, manual identification is impractical. Relying on foreign systems also risks data breaches and compromises national security.
By developing the system domestically, the Army ensures data security, operational sovereignty, and information integrity, while strengthening its ability to respond effectively to digital threats. This initiative marks a significant step toward technologically empowered defense operations in the digital age.