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New Delhi, Jul 30: The central government blocked more than 1,400 online links during Operation Sindoor as part of its efforts to contain the spread of fake news and sensitive content in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Responding to a query from MP Tejasvi Surya, Vaishnaw said the blocked content included a range of posts on websites and social media platforms that circulated misinformation and material deemed harmful to national interests.
“Many of these handles were operated from outside the country and were found actively involved in sharing false, anti-India narratives,” the Minister said in a written reply.
The government took action under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which allows blocking of digital content in cases involving national security, public order, or the sovereignty of India.
According to the Minister, the URLs flagged during this period contained misleading content, provocative material targeting the armed forces and posts with communal overtones, largely traced to Pakistan-based accounts.
To monitor and respond in real time, the government established a centralised control unit, which remained operational round-the-clock. This unit, jointly managed by defence personnel, information agencies and the Press Information Bureau (PIB), functioned as a central command for identifying and countering online threats during the operation.
Vaishnaw noted that the PIB’s fact-checking team was actively involved in tracking false narratives and issuing timely clarifications. Verified information was shared with the public, and action was taken against posts found to be spreading disinformation.
He also informed the House that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to media outlets on April 26. The advisory instructed news platforms to avoid live telecasts of defence activities or troop movements in order to protect operational details and public safety. (KNO)