Non Kienetic Weapons a Tool For Warfare In South Asia

Qurat ul Ain Hafeez

During the recent 2025 India–Pakistan confrontation, non-kinetic warfare has played a significant role. India has implemented numerous non-kinetic measures that do not involve direct military force to exert pressure on Pakistan. These measures encompass cyberattacks, electronic warfare, information warfare, disinformation campaigns, psychological operations, diplomatic pressure, infrastructural, and civil defence strategies.

India’s non-kinetic strategy combined cyber operations, economic pressure, and diplomatic isolation to destabilize Pakistan without direct military force.

Traditionally, strategies without the use of direct physical force or conventional military engagement were employed in the Pehlgam conflict. In the present age, the adoption of non-kinetic tools is increasingly important in modern, hybrid, and information warfare because of its disruptive nature, deception, influence, and control. Moreover, the subtle manipulation or AI-driven influence campaigns alter public perception, perceive truth, and make decisions. Focuses on controlling narratives and perception management.

Additionally, non-kinetic measures used in the post-Pehlgam period prior to the onset of full-scale conflict included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the reduction of water flow through the Chenab River, resulting in an 80% decrease in water supply to Pakistan. This move served as a form of diplomatic and psychological coercion, signalling India’s non-military leverage in the conflict. In order to show strategic purpose, India also started psychological operations known as “Abhyaas” and national civil defense drills. Pakistan responded to this act of deterrence without escalation by threatening to consider any interruption of the flow of shared rivers as an act of war.

India withdrew its envoy from Islamabad and dismissed Pakistani diplomats, extending the diplomatic stalemate. Visas for Pakistani citizens were then suspended. These actions were taken to limit bilateral interactions and diplomatically isolate Pakistan. India also formally asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review Pakistan’s loan program and ban imports from Pakistan to destabilize the country’s economy.

India’s non-kinetic attacks were not limited to the Pahalgam incident; its cyber and information warfare tactics were also seen throughout Operation Sindoor. targeting internet platforms in Pakistan, disabling well-known public personalities’ YouTube channels and social media accounts, and interfering with communication networks. India also conducted cyber espionage operations to learn more about Pakistan’s military maneuvers and strategic plans. India’s multipronged strategy to apply pressure on Pakistan through economic penalties, information control, diplomatic isolation, and increased civil readiness is reflected in these non-kinetic actions.

The Hindustan Times has been accused of false reports of Indian military victories -INS Vikrant’s attack on Karachi, disapproved by the PIB fact-check unit. A report by Business Standard cited fact-checking organizations confirmed these reports lacked credible evidence and were part of a broader disinformation campaign.

Disinformation campaigns manipulated public perception, controlled domestic narratives, and influenced international diplomatic opinions.

Similar to this, False video information allegedly depicting successful strikes on Pakistani targets was disseminated by Indian news outlets and other social media accounts. Various Indian  Outlets then show successful attacks on targets in Pakistan. Investigations, however, showed that a number of these images were either out-of-date or unconnected to the current war, suggesting an effort to deceive the public and foreign observers.

Moreover, as per The Australian, false attribution to international Australian cricketer Josh Hazlewood by a fake social media account credited pro-Indian military sentiments. The misleading post, which garnered significant attention, praised Indian soldiers and purported to express Hazlewood’s support, although Hazlewood is not active on social media. Both his management and IPL team confirmed the post’s inauthenticity and worked to have it removed.

Following India’s Operation Sindoor, Indian media outlets like NDTV misrepresented  Civilian Casualties, claiming that the airstrikes exclusively targeted terrorist infrastructure with minimal civilian impact. Contrarily, international observers and humanitarian organizations reported civilian casualties and damage to non-military structures, suggesting a discrepancy between Indian official narratives and on-ground realities.

Adding to this, India controlled the opposite storyline by preventing various social media accounts and the arrest of those who shared contradictory information. This raises concerns among international human rights organizations, restricting freedom of expression during wartime. Beyond the immediate Conflict, wider patterns of disinformation campaigns have been seen in Indian sources in the past as well. Notably, the EU DisinfoLab’s Indian Chronicles report revealed a network of fake media outlets and NGOs disseminating anti-Pakistan content across multiple countries, aiming to influence international opinion and policy.

The Strategic Utility of Misinformation as a strategic non-kinetic weapon serves in several ways. First, it controls the narrative. By disseminating false information, the aggressor can shift the focus of the conflict, portraying themselves as victims or as morally justified in their actions. Second, the psychological Impact of Misinformation can induce fear, confusion, and uncertainty among the public and military personnel, affecting morale and decision-making. Third, the diplomatic Leverage of false narratives can influence international opinion, potentially swaying diplomatic support or condemnation. Last but not least mobilization of fabricated stories can rally the populace, fostering a sense of unity and patriotism in support of the government’s actions.

The battle over truth now stands central to modern warfare, where misinformation creates a “fog of war,” complicating global responses and decision-making.

To conclude, the prevalence of misinformation has created a “fog of war,” where distinguishing between fact and fiction becomes increasingly challenging. Social media platforms are inundated with recycled images, mislabelled videos, and fake advisories, leaving the public in a state of uncertainty. This environment complicates efforts by journalists, analysts, and policymakers to ascertain the truth, thereby hindering informed decision-making.

In modern conflicts, the battlefield has extended beyond physical engagements to the realm of information warfare. India’s strategic use of misinformation as a non-kinetic weapon exemplifies how narratives can be manipulated to achieve geopolitical objectives. As the India-Pakistan conflict continues, the battle for truth becomes as crucial as any military operation, underscoring the need for vigilance, critical analysis, and media literacy in navigating the complexities of modern warfare.

The author is a research scholar at the School of Politics and International Relations, QAU, Islamabad.