By Major General Dr. Dilawar Singh
The India-Pakistan conflict of 2025 marked a turning point in the understanding of modern warfare. It was no longer confined to territorial skirmishes or military might. Instead, the clash played out in the digital domain, targeting perceptions, trust, and truth. Operation Sindoor became a textbook example of how cognitive warfare—fueled by AI, deepfakes, and disinformation—can shape the course of a conflict.
Weaponizing AI: Deepfakes and the Crisis of Authenticity
During the initial strikes, AI-generated deepfakes emerged as a potent weapon. A fabricated video of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar "apologizing" went viral before it was exposed as fake. Pakistan's ISPR also circulated misleading footage of Indian jets, derived from older incidents. These attacks on authenticity blurred fact and fiction, eroding public trust.
To counter this, the Indian government established a war room within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Supported by the Army’s Corps of Signals and the National Cyber Coordination Centre, it tracked misinformation and deployed the PIB’s Fact Check Unit to debunk fake narratives in real time.
Hyper-Personalized Disinformation
Cognitive warfare in 2025 used AI-driven profiling to tailor propaganda by region, language, and psychology. From fake fuel shortage alerts in Punjab to demoralizing messages sent to military families, the campaign aimed to disrupt public order and undermine morale.
Indian agencies, including Maharashtra Cyber, acted swiftly to remove false content. Military and civilian teams coordinated to maintain morale and coherence. AI and machine learning were integrated into military operations, supported by the Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), which also trained leaders in cognitive warfare techniques.
Communication as Defense
India’s cognitive defense relied heavily on transparent, multi-tiered communication. Daily briefings by the Ministry of External Affairs, supplemented by updates from senior military leaders, ensured clarity and countered fake narratives. Field commanders like Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh played a vital role in keeping the media and public informed.
Influence of China's "Three Warfares"
Pakistan’s strategy mirrored China's "Three Warfares" doctrine—psychological, legal, and public opinion warfare. Chinese media amplified disinformation, painting India as the aggressor. This created a multipolar information war where perception was as contested as territory.
Systemic Shortcomings
Despite a swift response, India’s approach was mostly reactive. Fact-checking debunked key fake stories, but often after damage was done. Legal frameworks also lagged behind; the IT Act lacks the teeth to address synthetic media threats, and jurisdictional gaps were exploited by foreign actors.
Societal Vulnerabilities
Disinformation exploited existing societal fissures. A 2025 ORF survey revealed only 32% of Indians could reliably identify deepfakes. Digital fatigue and trust erosion made the public more susceptible, highlighting the need for mass digital literacy and cognitive resilience.
Geopolitical and Technological Asymmetries
Pakistan leveraged Chinese AI tools to conduct sophisticated disinformation campaigns. Meanwhile, India’s indigenous AI capabilities need rapid advancement to ensure narrative control and defense readiness. Proxy groups and internal dissent were manipulated to amplify enemy propaganda.
Strategic Diplomacy
India countered global misinformation by deploying a parliamentary delegation to key international capitals. Engaging directly with foreign governments and media helped reinforce India’s transparency and rebut falsehoods.
The Road Ahead: Building Cognitive Resilience
India must:
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Invest in AI-native defense systems for real-time deepfake detection.
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Update cyber laws to criminalize synthetic media abuse.
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Establish a National Cognitive Security Agency (NCSA).
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Promote digital literacy through nationwide campaigns and education.
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Develop strategic communication hubs with pre-approved counter-narratives.
Conclusion: Securing Minds in the Digital Age
The 2025 conflict demonstrated that future wars will be waged as much in minds as on battlefields. Cognitive warfare is now a national security priority. India must evolve with urgency to protect not only its borders but its democratic values, social cohesion, and global credibility.
