Delhi Police flags 400+ Pakistani accounts in coordinated misinformation drive
Synopsis
Delhi Police has identified over 400 Pakistani social media accounts running a coordinated misinformation campaign targeting India's current situation — many of the same accounts that were active during Operation Sindoor. The warning, delivered via Instagram by a senior officer, signals that hybrid warfare through digital platforms is no longer a fringe concern but an active, recurring threat.
Key Takeaways
Delhi Police on 23 July publicly warned of a coordinated Pakistani misinformation drive on social media.
Intelligence teams have identified more than 400 Pakistani accounts spreading false narratives; steps to block them are underway.
Several of these accounts were previously active during Operation Sindoor , indicating a recurring pattern.
The accounts are reportedly circulating manipulated videos, unverified claims, and inflammatory content to incite unrest.
Delhi Police cyber cells are working round-the-clock with central agencies and platform intermediaries to counter the threat.
Citizens have been warned that sharing unverified content may attract legal consequences under cyber and public order laws.
A senior Delhi Police official on Thursday, 23 July issued a public warning accusing Pakistan of orchestrating a coordinated misinformation campaign on social media platforms, targeting the prevailing situation in India. The warning was delivered through a video message posted on Instagram, alerting citizens to the role of foreign-backed accounts in spreading divisive and inflammatory content.
Scale of the Operation
Intelligence teams have identified more than 400 Pakistani social media accounts actively disseminating false narratives, the official stated. Authorities have initiated steps to block these accounts across platforms. Notably, many of the same accounts were previously active during Operation Sindoor, pointing to a pattern of repeated digital interference during periods of heightened tension in India.
What the Accounts Are Doing
According to the official, these accounts are exploiting sensitive issues by circulating manipulated videos, unverified claims, and inflammatory content. 'Pakistan is taking advantage of the current situation in India,' the officer asserted, adding that the campaign is deliberately designed to manufacture unrest. 'Their sole objective is to incite trouble,' he said.
Delhi Police Response
Delhi Police cyber cells are monitoring suspicious activity round-the-clock and coordinating with central agencies and social media intermediaries to neutralise the threat, according to police sources. Officials warned that sharing unverified content could inadvertently aid anti-national elements and attract legal consequences under applicable cyber and public order laws.
Appeal to Citizens
The senior officer urged the public to exercise caution before sharing any content online. 'I urge you to fact-check any post — whether it involves videos or originates from anonymous handles — before sharing it. Do not spread rumours, and do not let anti-social elements manipulate your emotions,' he cautioned. The official also acknowledged citizens' democratic rights while stressing the importance of restraint: 'Peaceful protest is your right, and it is important to exercise that right responsibly.'
Broader Context
Security agencies have previously flagged similar foreign-backed digital campaigns during periods of social or political tension in India. The development underscores growing concerns over hybrid warfare tactics, where foreign actors leverage digital platforms to amplify domestic fault lines. This comes amid intensified public discourse and protests around recent events, making the timing of such campaigns particularly consequential.
Point of View
Recurring playbook. What is significant is that Delhi Police chose a public-facing Instagram video rather than a quiet administrative takedown — a deliberate counter-narrative move. Yet the warning conspicuously avoids naming the specific platforms where these accounts are most active, or detailing the legal framework being invoked. Without that transparency, the public appeal to 'fact-check before sharing' risks sounding like civic advice rather than a credible deterrent. The real accountability question is whether India's intermediary liability framework is equipped to handle state-sponsored influence operations at speed.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Delhi Police warned about regarding Pakistan and social media?
Delhi Police has warned that over 400 Pakistani social media accounts have been identified as part of a coordinated misinformation campaign targeting India's current situation. The accounts are reportedly spreading manipulated videos, unverified claims, and inflammatory content to incite unrest.
How many Pakistani accounts have been identified and what action is being taken?
Intelligence teams have identified more than 400 Pakistani social media accounts actively spreading false narratives. Delhi Police has initiated steps to block these accounts and is coordinating with central agencies and social media platforms to curb their reach.
What is the connection between these accounts and Operation Sindoor?
According to Delhi Police, many of the accounts currently flagged were also active during Operation Sindoor, indicating a pattern of repeated foreign-backed digital interference during periods of heightened tension in India.
What are the legal risks for Indian citizens who share unverified content?
Delhi Police has warned that sharing unverified or inflammatory content could inadvertently assist anti-national elements and may attract legal consequences under relevant cyber and public order laws in India.
How can citizens protect themselves from this misinformation campaign?
A senior Delhi Police official has urged citizens to fact-check all posts — including videos and content from anonymous handles — before sharing them. Citizens are advised not to spread rumours and to avoid letting emotionally charged content influence their actions online.
