Army Debunks Deepfake Video Falsely Claiming Chinese Control Over Arunachal Border Areas

The Indian Army’s fact-checking handle, Indian Army Fact Check (@MythbusterXX), has warned the public about a digitally manipulated “deepfake” video circulating on social media. The clip falsely attributes fabricated statements to Lieutenant General Girish Kalia (AVSM, VSM), General Officer Commanding of Spear Corps (3 Corps).

WHAT THE FAKE VIDEO CLAIMED

The clip claimed that Lt Gen Kalia made a “leaked admission” that China had taken control of Asaphila, Longjou and Taksing Circle in Arunachal Pradesh, and that Indian troops posted in the sector were being denied essential supplies.

“A digitally altered video is being circulated with fabricated remarks attributed to Lt Gen Girish Kalia,” the Army Fact Check handle posted. “The misleading video attempts to portray fabricated statements as a leaked admission by a senior Indian Army officer.”

THE ARMY’S FINDINGS

The Army said synthetically generated information, in the form of AI lip-syncing and voice cloning, was laid over real archival footage to spread military disinformation and cause public panic.

It traced the original footage to October 27, 2023, in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir. Kalia, then a Major General and GOC of the 28 Infantry Division, was addressing a press briefing on counter-terror operations along the Line of Control (LoC).

He detailed 10 foiled infiltration attempts, the elimination of 27 terrorists and large seizures of warlike stores and narcotics. At no point in it, the Army said, did he mention China, Chinese control of border areas in Arunachal Pradesh or any shortage of supplies for troops.

THE PATTERN

The Army set out the formula behind the campaign: an old military briefing, plus digitally manipulated remarks, plus false attribution, plus fabricated territorial claims, equals military disinformation.

It urged citizens and social media users to scrutinise unverified video clips and check original sources before sharing manipulated content “designed to mislead the nation.”

With inputs from ANI