The Army has prepared an information warfare strategy to combat social media propaganda and counter fake news that is often aimed at demoralising the ranks and creating fissures within the force.

To tackle misinformation campaigns and use social media for psychological conflicts in combating terrorism, the force plans to set up a new institution comprising 'social media warriors' who could be civilians working on a contractual basis, Army sources said.

The plan is to have a Lieutenant General rank officer who will head the information warfare wing of the army.

"Social media has become an important adjunct of information warfare strategy," Army Chief General Bipin Rawat said on Tuesday.

The chief added, "Social media is gaining momentum faster than we thought and if we don't keep pace we will be left behind firefighting."

The Army is carrying out different studies for restructuring within and an exclusive wing for the digital combat is part of it. Depending on the findings of the study, a final plan will be put in place.

The blueprint of the initiative is likely to be taken up at the army commanders' conference when the top brass meets in October. Currently, the information warfare and public information wing, which has a small media cell, work separately but clubbing it together with a robust social media warfare strategy is on the cards.

The army is also cracking down on its own personnel for violating social media guidelines by circulating false messages.

General Rawat clarified that there is no blanket ban on using the social media but there is a need to educate troops and officers that strategic interests need to be safeguarded.

"You cannot stop a soldier from using social media but we can educate them," he said while speaking at event Social Media and the Armed Forces.

The Indian Army has also warned officials about possible 'honey traps' on social media and online "anti India" propaganda asking intelligence agencies to track these online platforms.

The army recently identified 170 online platforms that spread fake news with the purpose of spreading propaganda; officials have been warned not to engage with strangers on social media as these could be fake accounts for honey traps, sources said.

There have been a series of fake letters attributed to the army that have been put up on social media and reaching Whatsapp groups of officers.

Misinformation campaign