Since the abrogation of Articles 370/35-A by the BJP government in India, a certain batch of hyper-nationalist Twitter handles have been observed posting misleading disinformation against Pakistan.

The support which these selected accounts receive is not limited to the general populace. In fact, several public figures have been observed interacting with them. While a plethora of such accounts exist, focused investigations have enabled shortlisting of only those accounts which have the most influence.

Pakistan Insider has initiated a series to highlight available details of these handles in the interest of public benefit and also with hopes that local authorities can initiate due legal action against their activities. Relevant datasets have been uploaded accordingly.

Account 1 – @stranger0968 [Archived Copy]

Handle screenshot

Date of Creation: January 16, 2013 (Twitter Unique User ID Number: 1095295038).

Description: The account is mostly involved in posting “claims” and “reports” related to Pakistan Army’s casualty figures and border activities. Bashing of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) is also part of its mandate. It is part of an influential RUMINT circle intended to amplify pro-conflict hysteria and positively project Indian military’s propaganda narrative against Pakistan.

Supporting Evidence: Record of original tweets

Sample Tweets:

Social Network Analysis: Regular interaction with pro-BJP elements including the official Twitter handles of Indian Army’s Additional Directorage General of Public Information (ADGPI), Indian Army’s 15 Corps alias Chinar Corps, personal Twitter handle of Chinar Corps commander Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and known Indian security establishment mouthpiece Aditya Raj Kaul.

Users Most Retweeted:

coloured figures represent percentage of interaction

Users Most Mentioned:

coloured figures represent percentage of interaction

Top 10 Most Used Words:

figures represent frequency of word use

Noteworthy Observation: Direct interaction with GOC 15 Corps Lt Gen Kanwal Jeet Singh Dhillon [Video] [Archived Copy]. A short video of the handle’s timeline can be accessed here.

Conclusion: Account handler is a BJP activist with links to influential Indian military handles.

Account 2 – @meghdootindia [Archived Copy]

Handle screenshot

Date of Creation: December 9, 2011 (Twitter Unique User ID Number: 432304674).

Description: The account is mostly involved in targeting Pakistan and domestic tensions within especially projecting negativities regarding ethnic minorities. It is part of an influential RUMINT circle intended to amplify pro-conflict hysteria and positively project Modi government’s propaganda narrative.

Supporting Evidence: Record of original tweets

Sample Tweets:

Social Network Analysis: Regular interaction with other fake accounts involved in posting pro-BJP propaganda.

Most Used Hashtags:

coloured figures represent percentage of use

Top 10 Most Used Words:

figures represent frequency of word use

Noteworthy Observation: R.K. Yadav, a retired RAW officer and regular Pak-basher, is among the prominent followers [Video]. A short video of the handle’s timeline can be accessed here.

Conclusion: Account handler is a BJP activist.

Further handles will be scrutinised in Part 2.