Tue May 13 04:01:02 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Social Media Trolling, Doxxing Surge Amidst India-Pakistan Tensions Over ‘Operation Sindoor’**
**New Delhi, May 13, 2025** – Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), have become battlegrounds of a different kind amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following “Operation Sindoor.” A surge in online harassment, doxxing, and the spread of misinformation has targeted individuals expressing dissenting opinions, journalists, and even government officials, raising serious concerns about freedom of speech and online safety.
The controversy began after India launched “Operation Sindoor” on May 7th. Following the Pahalgam terror attack, Himanshi Narwal, the wife of a slain Navy officer, faced vicious online attacks for her call for peace and refusal to condemn Muslims and Kashmiris. This set the stage for widespread targeting of anyone perceived as deviating from a pro-government stance.
Individuals who expressed concerns about the conflict’s impact, advocated for peace, or even questioned the name of the operation were subjected to intense online abuse. Journalists, activists, and students found themselves targeted with doxxing, the act of revealing personal information online, leading to real-world threats and harassment.
The situation escalated dramatically when Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri was targeted after announcing a cessation of military operations between the two countries. His daughter was also doxxed. This blatant attack on a high-ranking official highlighted the severity of the problem.
Prominent journalist and fact-checker Mohammed Zubair of Alt News revealed he has been repeatedly doxxed by right-wing accounts, including threats and Islamophobic abuse.
Experts warn that doxxing undermines the fundamental right to privacy, as enshrined in the Indian Constitution. “Publishing a person’s address, phone number, or other identifying details without consent strips them of security and dignity, and exposes them to threats both online and offline,” explained Apar Gupta, Advocate and Founder Director, Internet Freedom Foundation.
Adding to the chaos, social media platforms have struggled to contain the spread of misinformation. Falsified videos, some taken from video games or unrelated events, have been widely circulated, misrepresented as evidence of military actions. X admitted it received orders from the Indian government to block over 8,000 accounts, including those of international news organizations, a move the platform described as censorship.
The current climate has sparked a wider debate about the responsibility of social media companies in combating online abuse and misinformation, and the impact on freedom of expression in a time of crisis.
First Piper 