Fact check: Digitally altered video attributes false border incursion claims to senior army officer

A digitally manipulated video circulating on social media falsely depicts Lt Gen Girish Kalia claiming Chinese forces have seized Asaphila, Longjou, and Taksing Circle in Arunachal Pradesh, whilst alleging that Indian troops were deprived of vital supplies.

The Indian Army has flagged the media as a synthetic deepfake designed to spread military disinformation.

The disinformation strategy

The propaganda campaign exploits a classic manipulation pattern: splicing authentic footage with synthetic audio and false context.

• Authentic footage: The underlying video is taken from an official press briefing delivered on 27 October 2023 in Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir. At the time, Maj Gen Girish Kalia was serving as GOC 28 Infantry Division.

• Actual remarks: In the original address, the officer outlined successful counter-infiltration operations along the Line of Control (LoC), highlighting 10 foiled infiltration attempts, the elimination of 27 terrorists, and the seizure of illegal weapons and narcotics. He made no mention of Arunachal Pradesh or logistical failures.

• Fabricated narrative: Deepfake technology was used to alter the audio, falsely attributing baseless statements regarding Chinese territorial gains and military supply shortages to the officer.

Conclusion

The video represents digitally manipulated military disinformation. Viewers are strongly advised to verify official communications before sharing unverified media.