Over 1,400 URLs blocked for spreading fake news during Op Sindoor: Centre

India blocked more than 1,400 digital media URLs during Operation Sindoor for spreading fake news, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.

Speaking in the Lok Sabha, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the blocked content included false, misleading, and anti-India narratives, communally sensitive content primarily from Pakistan-based social media accounts and inciting content against Indian Armed Forces.

Responding to a question by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya on steps taken to counter fake news during the operation, Vaishnaw said an advisory was issued to the media on April 26, 2025, to guard against false content.

“The government takes all possible actions to control the spread of fake and misleading information with the available statutory and institutional mechanisms. During Operation Sindoor, it was observed that massive fake news, misinformation and propaganda campaigns were being run, mostly from outside India. Government took active steps to counter such misinformation campaigns,” Vaishnaw said.

He said it was observed that certain social media handles, many operating from outside India, were actively propagating false and potentially harmful information.

“Under the Section 69A of the Information Technology Act 2000, the government issued necessary orders to block websites, social media handles and posts in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state, and public order,” the minister said.

He added that the government's ‘Fact Check Unit’ debunked Pakistani propaganda against India and Indian Armed Forces and corrected many posts countering such content.

“Additionally, the links related to disinformation or false news concerning Operation Sindoor, fact-checked by the FCU, were promptly shared with concerned intermediaries for appropriate action,” he said.