New Delhi, August 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Indian intelligence agencies are closely monitoring what officials describe as an alleged effort by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to expand a network of social media influencers across India for propaganda, recruitment and espionage activities following Operation Sindoor.
According to intelligence officials, the initiative gained momentum after Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed. Officials claim the operation, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), prompted Pakistan to increasingly rely on non-conventional methods to influence public opinion in India.
Officials allege that the ISI has shifted its focus towards building influencer networks capable of spreading misinformation, shaping public narratives and gradually influencing perceptions through social media content. Rather than promoting overtly provocative material, these networks are said to employ subtle messaging designed to amplify existing social and political issues without immediately attracting scrutiny.
Investigators also claim that such networks are intended not only to disseminate false narratives but also to identify potential recruits and gather sensitive information related to strategic locations and public officials.
The allegations have gained significance following an ongoing investigation by the West Bengal Police’s Special Task Force (STF), which recently arrested two suspected operatives allegedly linked to Pakistan-based networks. According to investigators, the accused were attempting to establish an influencer-driven espionage module that sought information about sensitive installations and the movement of high-profile individuals.
The STF has alleged that the network was particularly interested in obtaining details of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s travel routes, especially less-secured movements, with investigators claiming the information was intended to facilitate an assassination plot.
Security officials say several similar modules have been dismantled since Operation Sindoor. However, they maintain that monitoring online influence operations remains a major challenge due to the vast volume of content generated across digital platforms.
Officials added that intelligence and cybercrime agencies continue to analyse online content patterns to identify coordinated influence campaigns before initiating enforcement action.
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