Disinformation war intensifies as India-linked networks target Bangladesh-Pakistan ties

• Alleged Indian intelligence-linked network accused of spreading coordinated false narratives

• Deepfakes target General Waker-Uz-Zaman with fabricated military claims

• Bangladesh’s ISPR condemns propaganda drive aimed at destabilising tis Armed Forces

• Reports claim campaign seeks to distort narrative of 2024 student uprising

• Sheikh Hasina accused of political messaging from Indian communication channels

ISLAMABAD: A sophisticated and coordinated disinformation network, reportedly operated by Indian intelligence agencies in collaboration with remnants of the exiled Awami League, has been exposed for what analysts describe as a concerted attempt to destabilize the Bangladesh Armed Forces and fabricate a so-called “Pakistan connection” in Bangladesh’s internal political affairs.

The campaign is being portrayed as a deliberate effort to rewrite the narrative of the 2024 student-led uprising, attempting to recast what was widely seen as a grassroots democratic movement into an alleged “Pakistan-sponsored coup.”

Security analysts monitoring the situation have identified a surge in AI-generated deepfakes and fabricated intelligence documents targeting Bangladesh’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Waker-Uz-Zaman. These manipulated materials, circulated through compromised digital platforms, falsely allege that the army chief facilitated Pakistani naval access—an effort described as a calculated attempt to create internal distrust within the Bangladesh Army and undermine national security cohesion.

The Bangladesh Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has strongly condemned the campaign, accusing Indian media outlets of spearheading a coordinated propaganda offensive aimed at portraying Pakistan as a destabilizing actor within Bangladesh. ISPR stated that such fabricated narratives are being used to justify external interference in Dhaka’s sovereign security decision-making.

Observers also point to contradictions in India’s stated position on regional stability, particularly in relation to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Despite a death sentence issued against her by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for her alleged role in suppressing the 2024 uprising, India continues to provide her safe haven.

Analysts argue that this protection amounts not only to a diplomatic divergence but also a violation of the 2013 Extradition Treaty between the two countries, reflecting New Delhi’s willingness to disregard international legal frameworks to shield a key political ally.

The alleged nexus, according to sources tracking digital influence operations, was further visible during the February 2026 general elections, when Hasina reportedly used Indian communication infrastructure to launch a digital campaign branding the electoral process as “pre-planned rigging” and calling for the resignation of the interim government.

Security experts suggest that the underlying motivation behind this information campaign stems from strategic concerns in New Delhi, which allegedly views emerging economic and security cooperation between Dhaka and Islamabad as a challenge to its regional influence.

By amplifying such narratives, they argue, the objective is to foster mistrust within Bangladesh’s political and security institutions and widen divisions between regional states.

Ultimately, analysts say the campaign is less about security concerns and more about sustaining regional leverage—keeping South Asia fragmented, distrustful, and aligned with India’s strategic preferences rather than allowing independent bilateral alignments to emerge.