Operation Sindoor: Indian Media’s Black Propaganda and Fake News Tactics and Their Impact on Public and International Perceptions in the 2025 India-Pakistan Conflict

Abstract

and international perceptions during the 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, known as Operation Sindoor. The analysis is limited to 31 verified misinformation cases detailed in the Fake News Watchdog Incident Report 2025. Set against a backdrop of heightened digital tension, this study examines the use of black propaganda, including doctored visuals, deepfakes, and emotionally charged rhetoric, to construct divisive narratives. A qualitative approach was used, involving content analysis, sentiment assessment, source verification, and interviews with media professionals. The findings indicate that disinformation tactics were used to vilify Pakistan, obscure civilian suffering, and stir nationalist sentiment, which in turn influenced global perspectives and heightened regional instability. Fabricated events, such as a fake explosion in Rawalpindi and manipulated videos targeting Pakistani leadership, further eroded trust. This study recommends strengthening ethical journalism, promoting media literacy, and building regional fact-checking networks to address the risks posed by disinformation in conflict zones.