From Bullets to Broadcasts: Media Narratives & Misinformation after the Pahalgam Attack

Abstract In the digital age, the Kashmir dispute has moved from being a traditional military confrontation to an organized information war, where fabricated stories have become part of the war material. After the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 22, 2025, which killed 26 people, a flood of fake images, AI-generated videos, and edited footage on social media further fuelled violence and confusion. This paper analyses the role of the media after Operation Sindoor to see how traditional and digital media shaped, and at times distorted, the Kashmir narrative. The seven major rumors bought busting by the Press Information Bureau of India, the blocking of social media accounts, and media literacy campaigns make it clear that fake information has now become a strategic tool. The research concludes that, in hybrid warfare, misinformation is a strategic weapon used to fabricate narratives, disrupt peace, and undermine trust in government institutions. After the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor, the AI-generated content and sensational propaganda fuelled misinformation. This study also highlights that beyond fact-checking, it is important to empower the public to differentiate between truth and falsehood. Empowering citizens with digital literacy and promoting collaborative efforts across the media, government, and society are important to prevent the spread of misinformation and to protect the contested space of truth.