The defence ministry has approved a new Information Warfare branch in the army to combat misinformation and false propaganda being spread through social media for adverse psychological impact.The decision taken recently by the ministry is amid fake news being spread on several military matters. Importantly, it comes in the wake of propaganda being spread on social media from Pakistan on the Balakot air strikes by the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Pakistan Air Force’s aerial targeting of Indian military installations in Jammu and Kashmir . Even videos of IAF pilot Wing Commander Abhinanda Varthaman, taken during his captivity under the Pakistan Army have been posted on social media.The army has taken a strong note of these actions. In a clear reference to Pakistan in a press statement issued on Friday it said, “In the last three weeks, disinformation campaign by the adversary on digital media has increased. All ranks have been well sensitised of these disinformation campaigns and all ranks can see through the lie, deceit and deception of the terror sponsors.”An official added, “In keeping with the needs of the future battlefield, hybrid warfare and social media reality, the new DG IW (read as Director General Information Warfare) will have under him the erstwhile ADGs PI (Public Information) and IW (Information Warfare).”The IW branch will be headed by the Lieutenant General rank officer and will come under another newly created appointment- Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy).The ADGPI branch deals with media projection and has a social media wing, which is likely to remain untouched. The existing Information Warfare branch operates under the Military Operations directorate.Separately, a cyber unit will also be placed under the DG IW. The fresh move is part of an army study called ‘Re-organisation of the Army Headquarter’, which along with three other studies was ordered by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat in June last year. The four studies are part of the army’s efforts to transform into an agile, lethal and networked force to meet future challenges.