India Condemns Fake Accounts Sharing Manipulated Video of Army Chief

India Exposes Pakistani Propaganda Using Deepfake Video of Army Chief

Indian authorities have uncovered another instance of disinformation targeting national security, as Pakistan-based propaganda accounts were found circulating a digitally manipulated video of Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi. The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit confirmed that deepfake technology was used to alter General Dwivedi’s speech in an apparent attempt to undermine India’s military standing.

The manipulated video falsely portrayed General Dwivedi claiming that India would need “at least 50 years to reach the same technology that Pakistan and China have used in Operation Sindoor.” PIB Fact Check promptly debunked this fabrication, stating categorically: “General Upendra Dwivedi has made NO such statement.”

In their official statement, the PIB included screenshots of social media accounts distributing the fake video and provided a link to General Dwivedi’s original, unaltered speech. The fact-checking unit emphasized the artificial intelligence technology behind the deception, warning citizens to remain vigilant against such sophisticated forms of misinformation.

This incident marks the latest chapter in an ongoing information warfare campaign that security experts say has intensified with the proliferation of AI-powered tools capable of creating convincing fakes. Deep-learning algorithms can now manipulate video and audio to make public figures appear to say things they never did, presenting a growing national security challenge.

“The use of deepfakes to undermine military leadership represents a significant escalation in information warfare tactics,” said Dr. Rajesh Kumar, a cybersecurity analyst specializing in defense communications. “What makes this particularly concerning is the increasing sophistication of these falsified videos, which can be difficult for the average viewer to identify without expert analysis.”

The timing of this disinformation effort coincides with increased tensions along the India-Pakistan border, where ceasefire violations have been reported in recent months. Military analysts suggest this propaganda attempt may be aimed at creating public doubt about India’s military readiness and technological capabilities.

The PIB Fact Check unit, established specifically to combat misinformation targeting government institutions, has been increasingly active in countering such narratives. The bureau has urged citizens to report suspicious content through dedicated channels, providing both a phone number (+91 8799711259) and email address (factcheck@pib.gov.in) for this purpose.

“This represents a pattern of behavior we’ve documented extensively,” said Manisha Patel, a researcher at the Institute for Strategic Information Studies in New Delhi. “Foreign propaganda networks consistently exploit social media platforms to seed divisive narratives about India’s military preparedness, often timed to coincide with diplomatic or military developments.”

Defense ministry sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, indicated that such disinformation campaigns are carefully monitored and considered part of a broader hybrid warfare strategy targeting India. The sources noted that the reference to “Operation Sindoor” in the fake video appears designed to create a fictional military exercise that could generate concern among Indian citizens about supposed technological advantages held by neighboring countries.

Social media platforms have struggled to contain the spread of such deepfakes, despite implementing policies against manipulated media. The rapid advancement of AI technology has made detection increasingly challenging, though partnerships between government agencies and tech companies have improved response times.

The Indian government has been pushing for stronger regulatory frameworks to address deepfakes and other forms of synthetic media, particularly when they threaten national security or target public officials. Proposed legislation would create enhanced penalties for creating and distributing manipulated media with intent to harm national interests.

As this incident demonstrates, the battleground of international relations now extends well beyond physical borders into the digital information space, where perception can be as strategically valuable as reality.