India and Pakistan and the Disinformation War

Abstract

This text briefly examines the Pahalgam attack, which occurred in April 2025 in the region of Indian-administered Kashmir, as well as the political, diplomatic, and military repercussions that followed. The attack, which caused a significant number of casualties among civilians and security forces, was immediately attributed by the Indian government to insurgent groups allegedly supported by Pakistan. This accusation reignited the historical tensions between the two countries and led to a series of military operations and retaliatory measures along the border area, accompanied by an increase in nationalist discourse and anti-Pakistani sentiment in the media and on social networks. The text also analyzes the central role of disinformation and media manipulation as contemporary tools of psychological and political warfare. Both India and Pakistan developed coordinated campaigns in digital environments, using fake news, manipulated videos, and patriotic narratives to shape public opinion, justify their actions, and strengthen their domestic and international legitimacy. In its conclusions, the text highlights the growing trend of using disinformation and false information as weapons of war—key pillars of modern military strategies and of the maintenance of nationalist narratives in contexts of prolonged conflict.