Bagdogra , Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said the security landscape has become increasingly complex, with warfare extending beyond conventional cross-border firing to include cyberattacks, drone swarms, proxy wars and information operations.
“Warfare is no longer limited merely to cross-border firing. The defence minister cautioned that misleading information circulated through social media was being used to sow doubts among local populations and soldiers. “In such a scenario, your role is no longer that of an ordinary soldier. “Your discipline is your greatest strength.
Addressing Indian Air Force personnel at Bagdogra airfield in West Bengal on the eve of Diwali, Singh said adversaries were increasingly seeking to exploit vulnerabilities without engaging in direct conflict. It has expanded greatly to encompass asymmetric warfare, proxy wars, cyberattacks, drone swarms, information operations, and narrative management,” he said. Through social media, the enemy also attempts to sow seeds of doubt among local populations and soldiers by spreading misleading information,” Singh said Emphasising the changing responsibilities of armed forces personnel, he said soldiers must remain vigilant not only in their operational domains but also against emerging cyber and information threats. You are required to simultaneously maintain domain awareness, cyber resilience, and information integrity,” he said. Whatever post you are stationed at, your conduct, your uniform, your language, and your restraint shape the image of the armed forces in the minds of the local people,” Singh said.
“Today, the enemy often avoids direct conflict and instead tries to exploit our vulnerabilities.
