Media, Misinformation, and Missiles: The Aftermath of Sindoor
Opinion
Today, controlling the narrative is nearly as important as securing victories on the ground
By U. Dasin
What unfolded in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor during the India-Pakistan conflict underscores the formidable power of narrative in shaping global perception and international response — and the urgent need for some nations to move beyond action alone. In an age of instantaneous media and digital warfare, it is no longer enough to act with precision and purpose; countries must also build the cultural and institutional capacity to tell their stories clearly, credibly, and convincingly. This is not merely a matter of optics. In today’s hyper-mediated geopolitical landscape, shaping the narrative can be as critical as securing victory on the ground. Operation Sindoor has laid bare both the strength of India’s counter-terrorism response and the persistent vulnerabilities in its global communications strategy. There is a broader lesson here — for governments, institutions, and individuals alike — about the strategic importance of narrative in an interconnected world.
On May 7, 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a precision military strike targeting nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and POK. This operation was a direct response to the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, in which 22 men were selectively targeted and killed in cold blood in front of their wives and children. While the Indian government presented Operation Sindoor as a necessary counter-terrorism measure, the Western media’s portrayal has raised concerns about bias and selective reporting.
Facts on the Ground
According to official reports, India’s Operation Sindoor aimed at dismantling terrorist networks such as Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which were implicated in the Pahalgam attack. The Indian government emphasized that none of the sites initially targeted were Pakistani military facilities, highlighting the operation’s focus on countering terrorism. Pakistan’s response was immediate counter attacks. But their missiles targeting civilian ground were all intercepted by India’s multi-level iron dome. This resulted in the immediate escalation over targeted facilities.Read More… Become a Subscriber
Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 16 May 2025
An Appeal
Dear Reader
65 years ago Mauritius Times was founded with a resolve to fight for justice and fairness and the advancement of the public good. It has never deviated from this principle no matter how daunting the challenges and how costly the price it has had to pay at different times of our history.
With print journalism struggling to keep afloat due to falling advertising revenues and the wide availability of free sources of information, it is crucially important for the Mauritius Times to survive and prosper. We can only continue doing it with the support of our readers.
The best way you can support our efforts is to take a subscription or by making a recurring donation through a Standing Order to our non-profit Foundation.
Thank you.
