ISI targeting West Bengal's political unrest with disinformation, Intel warns
Synopsis
Indian intelligence agencies have flagged a coordinated ISI disinformation push targeting West Bengal's post-election volatility — using fake narratives, social media manipulation, and assets within India to incite communal tensions. The alert signals that Pakistan's spy agency is pivoting from ground-level illegal immigration operations to an information warfare strategy as the BJP tightens border controls.
Key Takeaways
Indian intelligence agencies flagged ISI attempts to exploit West Bengal's post-election political volatility on 8 May 2025 .
The alert follows the killing of Chandranath Rath , a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari , which heightened tensions in the state.
ISI -backed elements are reportedly planning disinformation campaigns on social media and chat groups targeting decisions of the new government.
Officials warn of fake narratives around illegal immigration policy, election integrity, and communal tensions being amplified by Pakistan-based actors.
Intelligence agencies are also monitoring northeastern states , which the ISI has long targeted for large-scale violence instigation.
Indian intelligence agencies have flagged coordinated attempts by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to exploit political volatility in West Bengal through disinformation campaigns and social media manipulation, officials said on 8 May. The alert comes amid a sensitive security environment in the state following post-election tensions and the killing of Chandranath Rath, a close aide of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Suvendu Adhikari.
The Intelligence Alert
According to officials, intelligence chatter suggests that ISI-backed elements — both within the state and across the border — are actively seeking to inflame the situation in West Bengal. An Intelligence Bureau (IB) official said the state has long featured in the ISI's operational playbook, alongside the northeastern states.
Point of View
But for what it signals about the agency's tactical shift. With the BJP government promising an iron-fist approach to illegal immigration — historically the ISI's primary demographic lever in West Bengal — Pakistan's spy apparatus appears to be pivoting toward information warfare as its primary tool. The convergence of post-election grievances, political violence, and a porous information ecosystem on social media makes West Bengal a textbook target. What is less discussed is how domestic political actors — on all sides — inadvertently amplify ISI-friendly narratives when they make unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud or communal targeting. The agencies' challenge is not just external actors, but the domestic echo chambers that give those actors oxygen.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Indian intelligence flagged about ISI activity in West Bengal?
Indian intelligence agencies have flagged coordinated ISI attempts to exploit post-election political volatility in West Bengal through disinformation campaigns, social media manipulation, and assets within India. The alert was issued on 8 May 2025 amid heightened tensions following political violence in the state.
Why is West Bengal a target for ISI disinformation operations?
West Bengal's post-election tensions, history of political violence, and proximity to the border make it a strategic target for the ISI. Officials say the agency seeks to incite communal disharmony, spread fake narratives about the new government's policies, and capitalise on unresolved electoral grievances.
What is the ISI's strategy in West Bengal according to officials?
According to Intelligence Bureau officials, the ISI plans to run fake news campaigns on social media and chat groups, spread disinformation about illegal immigration policy, and use assets within India to incite communal tensions. This marks a shift from earlier ground-level illegal immigration operations.
Are the northeastern states also under ISI threat?
Yes. Officials confirmed that the ISI's operations are not limited to West Bengal and extend to the northeastern states, where the agency has long attempted to instigate large-scale violence. Both regions are described as critical to national security given their border locations.
Who was Chandranath Rath and why is his killing significant?
Chandranath Rath was a close aide of BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari whose killing heightened political tensions in West Bengal. His death is cited by intelligence officials as part of the volatile post-election environment that ISI-backed elements are seeking to exploit.
