Web Desk: Social media platform X has taken down an account operating under the name “Bahot Baloch,” after investigators linked it to a coordinated disinformation campaign targeting Pakistan’s security forces, according to analysts and monitoring groups.
Digital investigators and security sources said the “Bahot Baloch” account was being operated from India by an officer of Research and Analysis Wing, identified as Colonel Deepak Negi. They alleged the account was used to disseminate misleading content aimed at maligning the Pakistan Army and other security institutions.
According to these findings, the account also promoted narratives sympathetic to the Balochistan Liberation Army, which is designated as a terrorist organisation by Pakistan and several other countries.
The account had gained significant traction in recent months by posting sensational claims related to security developments in Balochistan. However, fact-checking groups and open-source analysts found that many of these claims lacked credible evidence.
In multiple instances, posts alleged attacks or covert operations by Pakistani forces that could not be independently verified. Investigators said some content relied on recycled images or videos unrelated to the events being described.
Moreover, analysts observed a consistent pattern in the account’s activity: dramatic allegations presented as breaking news, limited sourcing, and rapid amplification through aligned online networks.
Eventually, X removed the account for violating its policies on misinformation and deceptive practices, according to users who attempted to access the profile after its suspension.
Although the platform has not issued a specific public statement on this case, it has maintained that accounts repeatedly sharing false or harmful information are subject to enforcement actions, including permanent removal.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the role of anonymous accounts in shaping narratives during sensitive security situations. Researchers warn that such accounts can influence public perception before verified information becomes available.
Experts also stressed the importance of relying on multiple independent sources when assessing claims related to military operations or allegations of state conduct.
The suspension of the “Bahot Baloch” account underscores increasing scrutiny of coordinated online campaigns and the challenges social media platforms face in curbing misinformation.
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