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Fake Videos Target Military Leaders During India’s Tri-Services Exercise
Pakistan’s propaganda machinery has launched a coordinated disinformation campaign targeting India’s ongoing Exercise Trishul, according to India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The campaign features digitally manipulated videos of senior Indian military officials that falsely portray them criticizing the military exercises.
Exercise Trishul, which began this week along the Gujarat coast and western Rajasthan, represents India’s largest tri-services maneuver since Operation Sindoor. Within 24 hours of its commencement, social media platforms began circulating doctored videos featuring Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi and Colonel Sofia Qureshi.
India’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) fact-checking team identified and flagged several manipulated videos being shared by accounts allegedly linked to Pakistan. These videos appear designed to sow discord and suggest the military exercises are politically motivated ahead of elections in the Indian state of Bihar.
In one particularly sophisticated fake video, General Dwivedi appears to claim he is “standing not as the Army Chief but as a soldier asking for his dignity back.” The manipulated footage contains fabricated statements about “saffronisation” breaking India’s unity and the Trishul exercise being “nothing but political theatre before the Bihar elections.”
The PIB released the original video from November 1, confirming that General Dwivedi made no such statements. In the authentic footage, the general actually discusses the naming convention of military operations, explaining how Operation Sindoor received its name and its significance in promoting national unity.
“Op Sindoor was not only about conquering enemies, but it was also about establishing peace and harmony,” General Dwivedi stated in his original address. He noted that unlike previous operations where different branches of the military used different operation names, Operation Sindoor used a single unified name across all service branches.
Colonel Sofia Qureshi has been similarly targeted with a manipulated video that falsely portrays her calling Exercise Trishul a “farce” connected to Bihar’s upcoming elections. The doctored footage shows her apparently criticizing army leadership and alleging political interference in military operations.
The actual video features Colonel Qureshi delivering a message focused on national unity and youth engagement. She speaks about the Army’s involvement in the Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative, which aims to engage nearly 9,000 young participants. Her authentic message emphasizes that national defense requires participation from all citizens, not just military personnel.
This disinformation campaign represents a growing trend in modern information warfare, where deepfakes and manipulated media are deployed to undermine military exercises and sow internal division. Such tactics have become increasingly sophisticated and difficult for average social media users to identify.
Exercise Trishul holds strategic importance for India, coming at a time of heightened regional tensions. The exercises demonstrate India’s military readiness and combined operational capabilities across its Army, Navy, and Air Force along its western border.
Military analysts note that such large-scale exercises often attract disinformation campaigns from adversaries seeking to diminish their impact or create domestic controversy. The rapid response from India’s fact-checking apparatus reflects growing institutional awareness of these information threats.
As Exercise Trishul continues, Indian defense officials have urged citizens to rely on official sources for information about the military maneuvers and to verify content before sharing it on social media platforms.
The incident highlights the evolving nature of modern conflict, where battles are fought not just with conventional weapons but increasingly in the information space, with social media becoming a contested domain during military operations and exercises.
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7 Comments
Fabricated videos of military officials criticizing an exercise? That’s a bold and troubling tactic. I hope the public is able to see through these attempts to distort the truth and that the true purpose and conduct of the exercise can be clearly communicated. Disinformation campaigns erode public faith.
This is a concerning example of how foreign actors can try to sow discord and manipulate domestic politics through the use of disinformation. I’m glad the Indian authorities were quick to identify and debunk the fake videos. Maintaining transparency and public trust is crucial during military exercises.
Interesting to see how misinformation can target military exercises. It’s important to rely on official sources and fact-checkers to avoid falling for propaganda. Curious to learn more about the specifics of this tri-services exercise and how India is responding to the false claims.
Coordinated disinformation campaigns against military exercises are very concerning. I’m glad the Indian authorities were able to identify and call out the manipulated videos. Maintaining the integrity of such important national security activities is crucial. Curious to see how they respond further.
Doctored videos featuring senior military officials criticizing an exercise – that’s a bold and troubling propaganda tactic. I’m glad the Indian authorities were able to quickly identify and call out these manipulated clips. Maintaining public trust in military operations is so important.
Digitally manipulated videos targeting military leaders during an exercise – that’s a new low for Pakistani propaganda. I appreciate the Indian government’s efforts to quickly fact-check and debunk these false claims. Transparency and accurate information are essential for maintaining public trust.
This is a troubling example of how foreign actors can try to sow discord and undermine public confidence through the use of sophisticated disinformation tactics. I commend the Indian government for their rapid response in exposing these fabricated videos. Upholding transparency is critical.