The Indian Ministry of Defence on Friday advised media channels, digital platforms and individuals to refrain from live coverage or real-time reporting of defence operations and movements of security forces to avoid premature disclosure of sensitive information.
The Ministry wrote on X: “All media channels, digital platforms and individuals are advised to refrain from live coverage or real-time reporting of defence operations and movement of security forces.”
“Disclosure of such sensitive or source-based information may jeopardize operational effectiveness and endanger lives,” the X post said.
The Ministry alerted that past events like 26/11 Mumbai attacks and Kargil War had showed the risks of ‘premature reporting’.
“As per clause 6(1)(p) of the Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021, only periodic briefings by designated officials are permitted during anti-terror operations. All stakeholders are urged to exercise vigilance, sensitivity, and responsibility in coverage, upholding the highest standards in the service of the nation,” the X post said.
Drone and missile attacks
Two weeks after a terror attack took place in Pahalgam, a popular tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
India Armed Forces on Thursday neutralised missiles and drones shot by Pakistan, targeting multiple cities in India, which included Amritsar, Jammu, Pathankot, among others.
The Indian Army said in a statement: “On the night of 07-08 May 2025, Pakistan attempted to engage a number of military targets in Northern and Western India including Awantipura, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bhatinda, Chandigarh, Nal, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj, using drones and missiles.
“These were neutralised by the Integrated Counter UAS Grid and Air Defence systems. The debris of these attacks is now being recovered from a number of locations that prove the Pakistani attacks,” the statement said.
The Indian Ministry of Defence said the Indian Armed Forces targeted Air Defence Radars and systems at a number of locations in Pakistan.
“Indian response has been in the same domain with same intensity as Pakistan. It has been reliably learnt that an Air Defence system at Lahore has been neutralised,” the statement said.
The Indian Armed Forces foiled a major infiltration bid at the international border in Jammu and Kashmir’s Samba district and killed at least seven terrorists on Friday.
The infiltration bid was foiled on the intervening night of May 8 and 9.
Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor
India was left shocked after armed terrorists killed 26 people, mostly non-Muslim tourists, in Pahalgam town of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. The incident had triggered widespread condemnation.
The incident further escalated tension between nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan, two nations that have engaged in wars in the past.
