Debunking A Deepfake: Fake Video Of Army Chief & Disinformation Around Operation Sindoor

Despite India’s temporary suspension of Operation Sindoor, misinformation continues to circulate.

A manipulated AI-generated deepfake video emerged, allegedly featuring Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi confessing to losing more than 250 soldiers in the Pakistan conflict.

The Press Information Bureau swiftly issued a fact check, denying the claim and warning about the deceptive nature of such content.

The PIB Fact Check division explicitly stated, “A manipulated video is being shared online, falsely showing Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi admitting to losing more than 250 soldiers in the war against Pakistan. This is an AI-generated deepfake video. Chief of Indian Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has made NO such statement. Deepfakes are being used to mislead and spread disinformation. Always cross-check with official sources!”

This action comes as part of a broader effort by PIB to debunk misinformation tied to Operation Sindoor and defend against coordinated propaganda.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh earlier addressed Parliament, asserting that no Indian soldier suffered harm during the brief four-day stand-off with Pakistan.

This starkly contradicts the claims made in the deepfake video and further undermines its authenticity.

A Wider Pattern of Disinformation

False claims and fabricated visuals flooded social media platforms during and after Operation Sindoor, with users staging videos to depict drone attacks, destroyed infrastructure, and military defeats.

The PIB Fact Check Unit addressed over 40 separate false claims, ranging from non-existent military losses to fabricated cyber-attacks and crisis narratives.

Independent fact-checkers and civil society groups also flagged numerous instances of misinformation that used unrelated or old footage, video game graphics, and recycled content to create panic.

In one notable case, absurd claims even suggested Pakistani drones hit an Indian post in Jalandhar—an entirely fabricated myth.

Experts have noted that the disinformation spread during Operation Sindoor represents a modern trend in hybrid warfare—using AI-generated and manipulated content to shape public opinion and escalate international tension.

Governments and malicious actors globally mirror these tactics, marking a worrying evolution in digital propaganda.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued advisories reminding citizens to rely on official sources and verify content before sharing.

Meanwhile, fact-checking bodies such as PIB and others strengthened efforts to combat false narratives.

Notably, the Chief of Defence Staff reported that forces spent about 15% of their operational time during the military stand-off countering misinformation, underscoring the importance of information warfare.

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