Delhi Police blocks 400 Pakistani social media handles targeting NEET protests

The Delhi Police on Thursday said it has blocked 400 social media handles originating from Pakistan that were revived to target the ongoing NEET student protests with misinformation. The handles, dormant since last year's Operation Sindoor, were reactivated to spread fake news and trigger unrest among students.

Coordinated campaign from across the border

According to police, these 400 accounts were specifically created or repurposed to amplify false narratives around the Common Joint Protest (CJP) against the NEET exam. Officers noted the handles were pushing content aimed at inciting violence and distrust in the examination process.

Delhi Police's cyber cell identified the accounts as part of a larger network of 480 Pakistan-based handles that have been active in spreading rumours. The remaining 80 are still under investigation, officials said.

Operation Sindoor context

Operation Sindoor, conducted by Indian security agencies last year, had targeted a wide range of Pakistani-origin social media accounts involved in anti-India propaganda. Many of those handles were suspended or became inactive after the operation.

Police said the revival of these accounts during the NEET protests indicates a deliberate attempt to exploit student anger for political ends. The handles have been found sharing doctored videos, false claims about exam leaks, and inflammatory messages aimed at students and parents.

Police warning and action

Delhi Police issued a stern warning against sharing unverified information related to the protests. In a statement, the force said it is monitoring social media platforms round the clock and will take strict action against those spreading fake news.

Officers have also reached out to social media companies to flag and remove such content swiftly. The blocked handles were found to be using fake profiles with Indian names and locations to evade detection.

Clarification on earlier claims

Earlier this week, a misleading claim circulated that Delhi Police's Public Relations Officer said Home Minister Amit Shah ordered the force to end the CJP protests. Police have denied this, calling it another example of the misinformation campaign.

Fact-checking organisations have also flagged several other false narratives around the student protests, including baseless allegations of police brutality and exam irregularities.

What to watch next

Police are expected to release a detailed list of the blocked handles and the specific content they were spreading. Investigations are ongoing to identify any Indian collaborators who may have amplified the Pakistani-origin misinformation. Authorities have urged students to rely only on official channels for information about the NEET results and protest developments.