Delhi Police files 4+ FIRs over fake news spread by Pakistan-linked social media handles
Synopsis
Delhi Police's IFSO unit has filed over four FIRs after Pakistan-linked social media accounts allegedly spread fake reports of protest deaths on 10 October, with some users masking their origin behind Indian names. Over 500 posts have been taken down — a rare public disclosure of the scale of cross-border disinformation targeting domestic unrest.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police's IFSO unit has filed more than four FIRs against social media handles allegedly spreading fake narratives, as of 13 October 2026 .
Pakistani social media accounts were allegedly activated to spread anti-India content and circulate false reports of deaths during the 10 October protest.
Some Pakistan-based users reportedly used Indian names to disguise the origin of their disinformation posts.
Approximately 500 social media posts have been removed for allegedly attempting to incite public disorder.
The Congress -led INDIA bloc separately marched to the Supreme Court seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the electoral rolls SIR controversy.
Delhi Police's Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit has registered more than four FIRs against social media handles allegedly spreading false narratives and attempting to destabilise the national atmosphere, official sources said on Tuesday, 13 October 2026. The crackdown targets accounts accused of circulating misleading content designed to create panic and communal unrest in India.
Pakistan-Linked Accounts at the Centre of Probe
According to official sources, anti-India content has been propagated through social media platforms from across the border, with several Pakistani social media accounts allegedly activated to circulate disinformation. 'Anti-India sentiment is being spread from across the border through social media. The IDs of several Pakistani social media handlers were activated,' sources said.
Investigators have also flagged a deliberate tactic: some users operating from Pakistan were allegedly using Indian names to circulate fake videos and misleading news, giving their posts the appearance of originating domestically in an effort to mislead the public and sow confusion.
Fake Death Reports During October 10 Protest
On 10 October, during the Cockroach Janta Party's protest, multiple Pakistani social media handles allegedly circulated false reports claiming that several people had died during the demonstrations. The posts were reportedly intended to spread misinformation and trigger panic amid an already charged atmosphere. No such deaths were verified by authorities.
This pattern — of foreign-linked accounts amplifying domestic unrest with fabricated casualty figures — echoes a documented disinformation playbook that Indian agencies have flagged on multiple prior occasions.
500 Posts Taken Down, Monitoring Ongoing
Official sources confirmed that approximately 500 social media posts have been removed so far for allegedly spreading rumours or attempting to incite public disorder. The IFSO unit said the action is part of broader, ongoing efforts to monitor online platforms and check the circulation of content that could disturb public order.
Notably, the scale of takedowns — half a thousand posts tied to a single protest episode — underlines the volume of coordinated disinformation Indian law enforcement is now tracking in near real time.
Political Backdrop: INDIA Bloc Marches on CEC Row
The IFSO crackdown comes alongside a separate political flashpoint. On Monday, the Congress-led INDIA bloc marched towards the Supreme Court to file a petition seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over controversy surrounding the Summary Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Opposition leaders have alleged irregularities in the revision exercise, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has defended the process and accused the Congress of politicising the matter. Critics argue that the charged political environment may be making the disinformation problem harder to contain, as both domestic controversy and cross-border provocation converge simultaneously.
What Happens Next
Investigations by IFSO into the flagged social media handles are ongoing. Further FIRs are possible as the probe widens, according to sources. The cases are expected to invoke provisions related to spreading enmity and deliberately circulating false information with intent to cause public disorder. Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific platforms or named any accused individuals publicly.
Point of View
Weaponising protest moments to amplify fabricated casualty counts. The disclosure that 500 posts were taken down from a single event is an unusually candid admission of the volume authorities are managing. What remains opaque, however, is the evidentiary threshold for these FIRs — a question that matters in a democracy where the line between 'fake news' and legitimate dissent can blur. The simultaneous political row over electoral rolls adds a layer of complexity: when the government is itself contested on democratic process, its disinformation crackdowns face inherent legitimacy scrutiny.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Delhi Police's IFSO unit filed FIRs against social media handles?
The IFSO unit filed more than four FIRs against social media handles accused of spreading false narratives and anti-India content intended to disturb public order. Official sources allege that Pakistan-linked accounts were a key driver, circulating fabricated reports — including false death claims during an October 10 protest — to create panic and confusion within India.
What fake news was spread during the October 10 protest?
During the Cockroach Janta Party's protest on 10 October, Pakistani social media handles allegedly circulated false reports claiming multiple people had died. Authorities said no such deaths occurred, and the posts were designed to amplify fear and disorder.
How many social media posts have been taken down?
Approximately 500 social media posts have been removed so far for allegedly spreading rumours or attempting to incite public unrest, according to official sources. The removals are part of IFSO's ongoing monitoring of online platforms.
How were Pakistani users allegedly disguising their posts as Indian content?
According to official sources, some users operating from Pakistan were using Indian names and identities to share fake videos and misleading news, making their posts appear to originate domestically. This tactic was intended to make the disinformation seem more credible to Indian audiences.
What is the political context surrounding this crackdown?
The IFSO action comes alongside the Congress-led INDIA bloc marching to the Supreme Court on Monday to seek the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Summary Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The BJP has defended the electoral process and accused the Congress of politicising the issue.
