The Centre on Monday dismissed a digitally manipulated video of Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi as fake that was circulated by Pakistani propaganda accounts to falsely claim he had made remarks about India’s alleged engagement with the Taliban.
The Press Information Bureau’s Fact Check unit flagged the viral clip as an AI-generated deepfake aimed at spreading misinformation and misleading social media users amid heightened regional sensitivities.
PIB issues fact-check warning
In a strongly-worded statement, the PIB Fact Check unit said Pakistani propaganda handles were circulating a doctored video to falsely attribute comments to General Upendra Dwivedi regarding India allegedly funding or engaging with the Taliban.
The government categorically rejected the claims, stating that the Indian Army Chief had NOT made any such remarks and that the circulating clip had been digitally altered.
According to the PIB, the original footage was manipulated using artificial intelligence tools to distort the Army Chief’s actual statements and create a false narrative online.
Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a digitally manipulated video falsely claiming that Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi made remarks regarding India’s engagement with the Taliban.#PIBFactCheck
❌ This claim is #FAKE
✅ Indian Army Chief General Upendra… pic.twitter.com/8sej0bowYM
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 1, 2026
Original remarks linked to Operation Sindoor
Officials clarified that the original video was taken from General Upendra Dwivedi’s recent interaction with the media after the Passing Out Parade of the 150th Course at the National Defence Academy in Pune on Saturday.
During that press conference, the Army Chief had spoken about the continuing preparedness of the Indian Armed Forces under “Operation Sindoor” and stressed that all three services remained fully alert for any future contingency.
He had stated that while there was currently a temporary cessation of hostilities, the Army, Navy and Air Force are maintaining operational readiness and preparing for any possible escalation, including what he described as “Operation Sindoor 2.0” if required.
Govt cautions against misinformation
The PIB urged citizens to remain cautious about manipulated content circulating on social media platforms and advised users to verify information through official sources before sharing it further.
The episode has once again drawn attention to the growing use of AI-generated deepfakes and digitally altered content in information warfare and cross-border propaganda campaigns.
Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a digitally manipulated video falsely claiming that Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi made remarks regarding India’s engagement with the Taliban.#PIBFactCheck
❌ This claim is #FAKE
✅ Indian Army Chief General Upendra… pic.twitter.com/8sej0bowYM
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) June 1, 2026