Department of Hybrid Warfare & Irregular Conflict
“In the grey zone, everything is a weapon.”
Introduction
In recent decades, the nature of warfare has shifted dramatically. States are increasingly confronted not by conventional armies, but by irregular forces—terrorist outfits, guerrilla groups, cyber militias, and proxy actors backed by hostile powers.
India, in particular, has been the target of such warfare—proxy terror in Kashmir, cross-border insurgencies in the Northeast, and psychological operations targeting its diverse society. The traditional war-peace binary no longer applies.
Strategic Importance
- Deterrence begins with understanding
Knowing how hybrid actors operate helps neutralise them before they strike.
- Shaping narratives
Countering propaganda and perception warfare is as crucial as winning battles.
- Mapping grey zone tactics
From sleeper cells to fake NGOs, adversaries employ a full spectrum of irregular tools.
Conflict Vectors
Analysing the asymmetric tools used by adversaries to destabilise India.