No More Likes, Leaks or Reels: Chhattisgarh security forces go offline social media to keep ops secret in Red zone

Time of India

a day ago

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RAIPUR: In a sweeping new directive aimed at enhancing troop safety and operational integrity, security forces deployed in Maoist-affected Bastar division of Chhattisgarh, have been directed to delete all social media applications from their mobile phones.
The directive comes amid rising concerns that viral content 'shared inadvertently by personnel' was compromising operational secrecy and putting lives at risk.
The order issued by Bastar range inspector general of police P Sundarraj, applies to jawans and officers deployed across all seven districts of Bastar, where anti-Maoist operations are frequently conducted under extreme conditions.
Speaking to TOI, Bastar IG P Sundarraj said, 'It in view of confidentiality of anti-Naxal operations and the safety of personnel involved in those operations.
The directives have been issued to all security force personnel deployed in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected areas with regard to usage of social media platforms.
'To ensure that no sensitive or classified information is inadvertently shared online, few proactive steps have been taken as a part of our broader strategy to strengthen security protocols and safeguard the identity and confidentiality of our forces.
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Inadvertent use of social media during high-risk operations poses significant security concerns, therefore, all concerned personnel have been urged to exercise utmost caution and strictly adhere to the guidelines issued in this regard,' IG Sundarraj told TOI.
The decision reportedly follows a spate of incidents where sensitive photos, videos, and updates from live encounters were circulated online, including footage from a recent operation involving top Maoist leader Basva Raju.
The viral material revealed details that could be used by Maoist operatives to understand troop movement and tactics.
Digital Silence for Tactical Safety
According to the directives, security personnel have now been asked to completely remove apps like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube from their phones, refrain from uploading or consuming social media content during and after operations, avoid using mobile phones unnecessarily while on duty in sensitive zones, submit their phones for post-operation checks to detect any possible information leaks and abstain from any form of photography, videography, or voice recordings during missions.
It's about the safety of our men and the success of operations. Social media can't become a weak link in our tactical planning, IG said.
Bastar remains one of the most intense conflict zones in India, with at least two worst and insurgency-hit districts of the country. In such terrain, where visibility, coordination, and strategy are already challenged by weather and geography, the added risk of digital leaks has become a top concern.
By enforcing digital silence and increased scrutiny, the police hope to preserve operational integrity, protect their personnel from legal and physical risks, and reduce the psychological warfare advantage often gained by Maoist propaganda units through online material, an official said.