The Pakistani propaganda machinery continues to spread misinformation more than three months after Operation Sindoor. The latest one is a deepfake video of Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi who is seen admitting that India lost six jets and 250 soldiers during the conflict with Pakistan in May.
However, the fact-check team at the Press Information Bureau has clarified that the video was digitally altered using artificial intelligence. It added that the Chief of Army Staff has not made any such statement and posted a link of his original, unedited speech.
General Upendra Dwivedi, during his speech, said the government had given a "free hand" to the armed forces, saying it was the first time that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Enough is enough".
"In Operation Sindoor, we played chess. We did not know what the enemy's next move was going to be, and what we were going to do. This is called the grey zone,” he said.
The latest deepfake video comes after a similar video showed Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh acknowledging that India lost six jets and one Heron UAV during the May 7 air engagements. This video was also fact-checked by the PIB, which clarfied that Singh made no such statement.
In the original speech, Singh had confirmed that India downed at least five Paksitani fighter jets and an Airborne Warning & Control System (AWACS) plane during Operation Sindoor with the help of the S-400 air defence systems.
Earlier, General Dwivedi appeared in another deepfake video, where he was shown admitting to losing more than 250 soldiers in conflict. Debunking the claim, the PIB said, "Deepfakes are being used to mislead and spread disinformation. Always cross-check with official sources!"