India’s relentless disinformation campaign against Pakistan has resurfaced once again, this time with a dangerous new dimension — the use of known terrorist proxies to propagate anti-Pakistan narratives through aligned media outlets.
The campaign, orchestrated by Indian intelligence agency RAW, is being channeled through BJP-aligned media such as The Sunday Guardian, which has published multiple articles by Ehsan Ullah Ehsan, a notorious terrorist and the mastermind behind the 2014 APS Peshawar massacre. This move has raised serious concerns about India’s strategic use of terrorism and disinformation to malign Pakistan internationally.
Weaponizing Media Through Terrorist Proxies
Following its strategic setback in a recent standoff with Pakistan, India appears to be resorting to psychological warfare and propaganda. The latest example is the controversial platforming of Ehsan Ullah Ehsan in The Sunday Guardian, a media outlet known for its strong affiliations with the BJP. Ehsan — widely considered to be under the protection of India’s intelligence apparatus — is now being used to push fabricated narratives targeting Pakistan and attempting to link it with conflicts involving Afghanistan and China.
Analysts argue that this is a textbook case of information operations (info-ops), where disinformation is weaponized to serve state interests. Ehsan Ullah Ehsan, a globally recognized terrorist, is now being portrayed as a credible author, undermining journalistic integrity and international counterterrorism norms.
A History of Disinformation
This is not the first time India’s disinformation tactics have come under international scrutiny. In 2020, the EU DisinfoLab exposed a massive 15-year-long Indian operation aimed at discrediting Pakistan globally through fake media outlets, NGOs, and think tanks. The latest effort involving The Sunday Guardian appears to be a continuation of that same strategy — using discredited individuals and fabricated stories to influence global opinion.
The Sunday Guardian was founded by BJP politician M.J. Akbar, who resigned in 2018 following multiple sexual harassment allegations during the #MeToo movement. The paper has since operated as a mouthpiece for BJP/RSS-aligned narratives, often targeting Pakistan. Its decision to give space to a terrorist further underlines its role as a propaganda tool rather than a legitimate journalistic entity.
Pakistan’s Position on Terrorism and Disinformation
Pakistan maintains a clear and consistent stance: zero tolerance for terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. As a country that has suffered greatly from terrorism, Pakistan continues to combat any resurgence of militancy, particularly when it is allegedly supported by foreign intelligence agencies like RAW.
The use of terrorists as media assets is not only unethical but dangerous. It undermines international counterterrorism efforts and contributes to regional instability. The global community is urged to take note of this alarming trend and hold actors accountable who provide platforms to individuals responsible for heinous crimes.
Conclusion
India’s ongoing disinformation campaign against Pakistan — now involving known terrorists as media contributors — reflects a disturbing shift in tactics. Rather than engaging through diplomatic or strategic means, New Delhi appears increasingly reliant on narrative manipulation and psychological warfare. The world must remain vigilant against such practices that threaten not just regional peace, but global norms surrounding journalism and counterterrorism.
