In the wake of India’s firm resolve to punish the perpetrators of the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack, several Pakistan-based media outlets and proxy social- media handles have launched a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at discrediting senior Indian Armed Forces officers. These attempts have been comprehensively debunked by official records and authoritative fact-checks, once again exposing Islamabad’s habitual resort to fake narratives whenever confronted with the prospect of decisive Indian action.
The False Allegation against Lieutenant General DS Rana
• Propaganda. Pakistani channels and troll networks alleged that Lieutenant General DS Rana, Director General of the Defence Intelligence Agency, had been “sacked” and exiled to the “Kala Pani” penal colony in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands following supposed operational lapses.
• Fact. Far from being dismissed, Lieutenant General Rana has been promoted to rank of Commander-in-Chief in situ means he is now elevated to a higher rank in the same appointment as DG DIA. He will take over as Commander-in-Chief, Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN) a prestigious tri-services command on 01 Jun 2025.
The Bogus Story on Lieutenant General M V Suchindra Kumar
- Propaganda. Pro-Pakistani social-media handles insinuated that Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar was “shunted out” of Northern Command for security failures linked to the Pahalgam attack.
- Fact. Lieutenant General Suchindra Kumar retired honourably on 30 April 2025 upon superannuation after nearly four decades of distinguished service. The routine change of command had been notified well in advance.
Invented Charges against Air Marshal SP Dharkar
Propaganda. A network of Pakistan-originated accounts claimed that Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal SP Dharkar, was “dismissed” for “refusing to fight a war” against Pakistan.
Fact. Air Marshal Dharkar completed his full tenure and superannuated on 30 April 2025, receiving a ceremonial guard-of- honour and paying homage at the National War Memorial. Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari has since taken over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff as part of an orderly succession plan.
Pattern of Deception
These fabrications exhibit a clear pattern:
- Timing. Each false claim surfaced within hours of New Delhi’s calibrated diplomatic and military signalling after the Pahalgam outrage.
- Targets. Senior commanders in charge of intelligence, Northern theatre operations, and air-power employment were singled out to sow doubt about India’s preparedness.
- Amplifiers. The stories were propagated by a cluster of known ISI-linked social-media handles that have previously spread disinformation regarding Balakot, surgical strikes, and Rafale capabilities. India’s Response
- Swift Fact-Checks. Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, the Ministry of Defence, and independent media outlets issued clarifications within hours, ensuring that misinformation failed to gain domestic traction.
- Platform Action. The Indian government has blocked several Pakistan- origin channels and accounts that posted doctored content, in accordance with India’s Information Technology Rules 2021.
- Operational Continuity. The Indian Armed Forces remain fully mission- ready; senior leadership transitions are proceeding seamlessly under established protocols. Pakistan’s latest disinformation spree is a testament to its desperation in the face of India’s measured yet resolute posture against cross-border terrorism. The Indian Armed Forces—anchored in transparency, professional integrity, and constitutional oversight—will not be distracted by propaganda.
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CALIBRATED NATIONAL RESPONSE TO THE PAHALGAM TERROR ATTACK
