Indian Army Debunks Deepfake Video Claiming China Captured Arunachal Pradesh Areas

NewsBharati    26-Oct-2026 16:25:19 PM
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New Delhi, October 26 : The Indian Army has issued a warning against a digitally manipulated deepfake video circulating on social media that falsely attributes statements to Lieutenant General Girish Kalia, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Spear Corps (3 Corps). The fabricated video claims that China has taken control of three areas in Arunachal Pradesh and that Indian Army troops deployed in the region were denied essential supplies.
 
Indian Army Debunks Deepfake Video
 
The Army's official fact-checking handle, Indian Army Fact Check (@MythbusterXX), clarified that the video uses artificial intelligence (AI)-generated lip-syncing and voice cloning over original footage to spread false information and create public panic.
 
The misleading clip falsely presents the alleged remarks as a leaked admission by Lt Gen Kalia regarding China's control over Asaphila, Longju and Taksing Circle in Arunachal Pradesh.
 
According to the Indian Army, the video uses archival footage recorded on October 27, 2023, in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. At the time, then-Major General Girish Kalia was serving as the General Officer Commanding of the 28 Infantry Division.
 
The original footage showed him addressing a press briefing on counter-terrorism operations and infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara. The briefing focused on the Army's operational achievements in the region and did not contain the statements attributed to him in the manipulated clip.
 
During the original briefing, the officer discussed 10 foiled infiltration attempts, the elimination of 27 terrorists and the seizure of substantial quantities of warlike stores and narcotics.
 
 
The Army clarified that the original footage contained no reference to China taking control of any territory in Arunachal Pradesh or to Indian troops being denied essential supplies.
 
The Army explained that the misleading video combined authentic military footage with digitally generated audio and lip movements to make fabricated statements appear genuine.
 
The incident highlights how deepfake technology can be used to manipulate statements by senior military officials and circulate false claims about sensitive national security matters. By presenting fabricated remarks as a leaked admission, such content can mislead viewers and create unnecessary concern about India's border security.
 
The Army's fact-checking clarification sought to distinguish the original press briefing from the digitally altered version circulating online.
 
The Indian Army has advised citizens and social media users to exercise caution before sharing unverified videos and claims, particularly those concerning military operations and national security.
 
It urged the public to check original sources and verify the authenticity of online content before amplifying material that could spread misinformation.
 
The incident underlines the importance of digital verification as AI-generated content becomes increasingly capable of imitating the voices and appearances of public officials. The Army's clarification aims to prevent fabricated claims from being mistaken for official military statements.
 
A similar case happened a year ago. Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a digitally altered video of Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, falsely claiming that he suggested handing over Arunachal Pradesh to China to stop Beijing from supporting Pakistan and that he admitted Chinese technology destroyed Rafale jets during India-Pakistan tensions.
 
Indian Army Line of Control (LoC) Kupwara Jammu and Kashmir AI-generated content Chinese Army Staff fact-checking