India trains military officers for “narrative warfare” Following Pakistan’s claims during Operation

India trains military officers for “narrative warfare”
Following Pakistan’s claims during Operation Sindoor, the CDS office has begun training Army, Navy and IAF officers to counter misinformation and shape narratives during future conflicts.

A custom-built social media simulation app was used in a “future warfare” war game, where officers responded to fake enemy claims, social-media posts and developing crises in real time.

The training covered when to respond, when to stay silent, issuing rapid media statements, countering adversary narratives, and handling information warfare during both peacetime and conflict.

The CDS office conducted the course with CENJOWS. Former CDS Gen Anil Chauhan had earlier highlighted that around 15% of the armed forces’ time during Op Sindoor was spent dealing with misinformation, leading to the creation of a tri-service defence strategic communication unit.

The objective: shape perceptions and counter hostile narratives at the speed of events.