A digitally altered video targeting Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has triggered concern among security agencies, after several Pakistan-based social media accounts circulated the clip with false claims about India’s national security and territorial stance.
The viral video falsely portrays General Dwivedi as suggesting that India should hand over Arunachal Pradesh to China in exchange for Beijing withdrawing support to Pakistan. It also fabricates a claim that Chinese technology had destroyed India’s Rafale fighter jets during past India–Pakistan tensions. The clip has been confirmed to be AI-generated, with the original footage manipulated to overlay an entirely fake audio track.
Faceoff FactCheck, along with other independent verification teams, analysed the clip and found multiple indicators of deepfake manipulation — including mismatched lip movements, inconsistent voice pitch and distortions around facial contours. Experts noted that the original speech, delivered during a naval ceremony, made no mention of China, Pakistan or the Rafale fleet.
Investigators believe the doctored video is part of a coordinated disinformation effort aimed at eroding public trust in the Indian Armed Forces. The circulation pattern on X, particularly through newly created accounts from Pakistan, suggests an organised attempt to amplify the fabricated narrative.
Authorities have urged citizens to refrain from sharing or reacting to unverified posts, especially those targeting national security institutions. They emphasised the growing threat of AI-driven misinformation and advised users to rely on official statements and credible fact-checkers when encountering sensational claims online.
