Pakistani Propaganda Targets Assam Police Chief with Deepfake Video During Karbi Anglong Unrest

Pakistani Propaganda Spreads Deepfake Video of Assam Police Chief Amid Karbi Anglong Tensions

Assam Police have uncovered a sophisticated misinformation campaign featuring a digitally manipulated video of Director General of Police Harmeet Singh that was circulated widely across social media platforms. The investigation has traced the source to accounts linked to Pakistani propaganda operations that appear to be exploiting the recent unrest in Karbi Anglong.

The deepfake video, which gained significant traction online, falsely depicted DGP Singh claiming that leaders of the Karbi community and activists on hunger strike had been arrested on direct orders from the central government. The fabricated footage showed the police chief threatening to arrest all protest leaders and deal with “rebels” using an “iron fist.”

“This is a completely fabricated video designed to create confusion and potentially trigger fresh violence in Kheroni,” an Assam Police spokesperson stated in an official alert. “We have initiated strict legal action against those responsible for creating and spreading this dangerous misinformation.”

According to police officials, the reality of the situation was substantially different. The individuals in question were not arrested but instead transported to a hospital in Guwahati for medical examinations after their health deteriorated during protest activities.

DGP Singh had personally engaged with protesters in the region and worked to maintain calm through dialogue and restraint. Following successful discussions with community representatives, authorities confirmed that the occupied bridge in Kheroni was peacefully vacated without any arrests being made.

The timing of the deepfake’s circulation appears calculated to inflame tensions in an already sensitive region. Karbi Anglong has experienced periodic unrest related to autonomy demands and ethnic relations, making it vulnerable to outside interference aimed at destabilizing the area.

This incident represents a concerning escalation in the use of artificial intelligence and digital manipulation technologies for state-sponsored disinformation campaigns targeting India’s northeastern states. Security experts note that deepfakes present a particularly dangerous threat as they can create seemingly authentic video evidence of events that never occurred.

“What we’re witnessing is the next generation of information warfare,” explained Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj, a cybersecurity analyst specializing in digital misinformation. “The technology to create convincing deepfakes has become more accessible, while detection tools struggle to keep pace. When deployed strategically during moments of social tension, these fabrications can trigger real-world consequences.”

The Assam Police’s cyber unit is working with central intelligence agencies to track the digital footprint of the manipulated content. Preliminary investigations suggest the deepfake was first shared through accounts previously identified as part of networks engaged in anti-India propaganda.

This case highlights the growing challenge faced by security agencies across India’s border states, where foreign-backed information operations increasingly target local issues to foment unrest. Officials have urged citizens to verify information from official channels and report suspicious content for investigation.

The police department has also announced plans to launch a digital literacy campaign focused on helping citizens identify manipulated media, particularly in regions vulnerable to communal tensions.

As investigations continue, authorities have reassured residents that the situation in Karbi Anglong remains under control, with additional security personnel deployed to prevent any escalation of tensions resulting from the misinformation campaign.