Representative image of people checking their phones.
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Amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, there have been instances of false claims on social media platforms following "Operation Sindoor", carried by Indian Armed Forces on Wednesday, targeting nine terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology on Saturday issued guidelines to be followed for cybersecurity precautions. Taking to their official X account, the post noted the 'Dos' and 'Don'ts' for online safety.
"Critical Online Safety Alert always follow cybersecurity precautions. Stay cautious while online—don’t fall for traps or misinformation. Be patriotic, stay vigilant, stay safe," Ministry of Electronics and IT wrote.
Further they mentioned the need to "protect our country online", as "our heroes are protecting the border".
Here are the 'Dos' and 'Don'ts' mentioned, take a look:
'Dos'
While sharing any updates online, netizens have been advised to share only official advisories, helplines and verified relief updates.
Before sharing anything online, it is important to fact check the news with official and credible sources.
If anyone comes across any fake news, it should be reported immediately.
'Don'ts'
People have been advised to strictly not share any troop movements online.
Any unverified information should not be forwarded.
Finally, people should avoid posts that may incite violence and communal tensions.
"Be vigilant, Be patriotic, Be responsible," the tagline read, further adding details to report any misinformation found online.
On Friday, PIB released a bunch of tweets which were circulating on social media under the mask of 'news' and debunked them using their sources.
In a press briefing, PIB wrote, "A barrage of coordinated disinformation has been carried out by certain social media handles in general and mainstream media in particular in Pakistan with the sole objective to instill fear among the Indian masses."
The Indian armed forces, in the early hours of Wednesday had launched precision missile strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including the strongholds of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke.
The strikes were in retaliation to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down.
(With PTI inputs)