Intro: The PIB fact check unit issued a warning about an AI-generated deepfake video of former Chief of Army Staff Manoj Pande being circulated online by Pakistani propaganda accounts.
New Delhi
In a statement, the Press Information Bureau Fact Check unit clarified that the circulating video has been digitally manipulated and does not represent any genuine statement made by Gen. Manoj Pande (Retd.). According to the agency, certain Pakistani propaganda accounts have been sharing the altered clip on social media platforms with misleading claims intended to create confusion about the Indian Army.
The PIB Fact Check unit stated that the video is an AI-generated deepfake, a form of digitally altered media created using artificial intelligence to imitate a person’s appearance, voice, or actions. The agency stressed that the retired Army chief has not made any such remarks and cautioned citizens against believing or sharing the content without verifying its authenticity.
Officials said the manipulated clip appears to show the former Army chief making controversial comments about the functioning and conduct of the Indian Army. In the video, he is falsely portrayed as claiming that India’s support for Israel has caused losses to the Indian Army and that soldiers are being forced to become an ethnic force. The clip also misleadingly suggests that Israeli instructors are training Indian Army personnel to dehumanise certain communities and warns of a possible revolt within the armed forces.
The PIB described the circulation of such videos as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at misleading the public and undermining trust in the Indian Armed Forces. Authorities emphasised that these tactics are often used to spread false narratives and create mistrust through fabricated content.
The fact-checking unit urged citizens and social media users to remain vigilant and rely only on verified information from official government sources. It also advised people not to share unverified videos or posts online, as doing so can unintentionally amplify misinformation and propaganda.
