New Delhi – As traditional borders remain closely guarded, a newer, more insidious front has emerged online—where Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, is reportedly deploying a network of cyber operatives to spread disinformation and anti-India sentiment.

In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, a recent intelligence initiative, Indian security agencies uncovered hundreds of social media accounts being used to amplify hostile narratives. According to cybersecurity firm Mflitrit, which showcased its capabilities at the Homeland Security and Police Expo held in New Delhi this week, over 800 such accounts were identified and swiftly taken down.

Digital Vigilance: From Propaganda to Protection

The two-day expo, which ran from July 31 to August 1, brought together domestic and international defense firms, but it was the presence of IT companies like Mflitrit that highlighted a growing shift: modern warfare is no longer confined to battlegrounds.

Amit Relan, CEO of Mflitrit, told reporters that their proprietary intelligence tools helped track hostile activity online during Operation Sindoor. He emphasized that this technology isn’t limited to monitoring foreign threats—it’s equally effective in identifying domestic cybercriminals who manipulate public discourse or engage in digital fraud.

“Information warfare is no longer hypothetical—it’s happening right now, and it’s organized,” Relan said.

ISI’s Cyber Playbook: Propaganda with a Keyboard

According to intelligence sources, the ISI is actively nurturing what experts are calling “cyber-jihadis”—digital operatives tasked with pushing anti-India narratives across platforms such as Twitter (X), Facebook, and Instagram. These accounts often masquerade as Indian citizens to amplify discontent and sow division within the country.

While India has long dealt with cross-border skirmishes, officials warn that the digital frontier requires an equally robust and coordinated defense. “The ISI’s online presence is structured like a military unit—strategic, persistent, and often invisible to the untrained eye,” said a cyber-security expert attending the event.

Combating Digital Scams: Case Study from Kumbh Mela

Mflitrit’s expertise isn’t limited to geopolitical threats. Earlier this year, the company partnered with the Uttar Pradesh Police during the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, a major religious gathering. Together, they dismantled over 200 fake websites designed to scam pilgrims. These included fraudulent hotel booking sites, donation scams, and counterfeit versions of the official Kumbh portal.

More than 150 online fraud operations were shut down during the crackdown, preventing what could have been large-scale financial and emotional losses for thousands of attendees.

The Road Ahead: Building India’s Cyber Armor

As India’s digital footprint expands, experts argue that cyber-patrolling must evolve into a full-fledged component of national defense. With homegrown companies now developing tools to detect and neutralize cyber threats in real time, the groundwork for a more secure digital ecosystem is being laid.

Yet officials caution that the threat landscape is constantly shifting. “Today it’s fake social media accounts. Tomorrow, it could be AI-generated deepfakes or large-scale phishing attacks targeting critical infrastructure,” a senior officer from the Ministry of Home Affairs noted.

In short, the battlefield has changed. And India, it seems, is preparing for the next war—one fought with data, deception, and a high-speed internet connection.