General Upendra Dwivedi explains narrative warfare, mocks Pakistan’s claims, and details India’s strategic messaging after the Pahalgam massacre.
Army Chief’s Remarks at IIT Madras
Speaking at IIT Madras, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi shed light on narrative management — the art of influencing public perception both domestically and internationally.
He cited Operation Sindoor as a case study, pointing out how Pakistan managed to convince its citizens of a false victory.
“Victory is in the mind. If you ask a Pakistani whether you lost or won, he’d say, ‘My chief has become Field Marshal, we must have won,’” Gen Dwivedi said, taking a jab at Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir’s promotion.
How Pakistan Shaped Its Victory Narrative
- Symbolic promotions were used to project success.
- Messaging was aimed at the domestic audience, adversaries, and neutral observers.
- The strategy capitalized on psychological wins rather than battlefield outcomes.
India’s Counter-Narrative Strategy
The Indian Armed Forces responded with clear, impactful messaging through social media and press briefings.
Key elements included:
- Immediate response message: “Justice done” — widely shared worldwide.
- Media outreach: Press conferences by women officers from the Indian Army and Air Force.
- Visual identity: A special logo designed by an Army Lieutenant Colonel and an NCO.
“Narrative management takes time, effort, and planning. We prepared these elements alongside our operations,” the Army Chief noted.
Operation Sindoor: Chess in the Grey Zone
Gen Dwivedi compared the operation to a game of chess, emphasizing grey zone warfare — actions just short of conventional war.
- Enemy and Indian forces made moves without knowing each other’s next step.
- Some moves were calculated risks, aiming for decisive gains.
- This marked a doctrinal shift toward intelligence-led, adaptive operations.
Political Will and Freedom to Act
The Army Chief credited political leadership for giving the military complete freedom after the Pahalgam massacre.
On April 23, a day after the attack, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh told the three service chiefs: “Enough is enough.”
- All chiefs agreed on immediate action.
- Commanders were given a free hand to decide operational details.
- This political clarity boosted morale and operational efficiency.
The Trigger: Pahalgam Massacre
- Date: April 22
- Incident: Pakistan-linked terrorists killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
- Response: Operation Sindoor targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
- Result: Over 100 terrorists eliminated in early morning airstrikes on May 7.
Follow-Up Operations
- Operation Mahadev last month neutralized three terrorists directly involved in the Pahalgam attack.
Key Takeaway
Operation Sindoor was not just a military success but also a lesson in narrative dominance — ensuring that the story told to the world matches the reality on the ground.
