Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 25: In a striking revelation, the Indian government’s PIB Fact Check unit has uncovered a fabricated video aimed at spreading falsehoods about India’s defence preparedness. The doctored clip, generated using artificial intelligence, falsely shows Air Marshal Rakesh Sinha "admitting" that Pakistani drones entered Indian airspace and damaged key defence systems, including the S-400.

The video, released through a Pakistani propaganda outlet named ‘The Whistle Blower’, manipulated footage of the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) to falsely claim that drones reached Delhi and Gujarat. However, the original footage—also shared by PIB—clearly shows Air Marshal Sinha speaking about the upcoming 'Cold Start' drone and counter-drone military exercise, scheduled for early October.

By placing the fake and real videos side by side, PIB Fact Check exposed how the statements were digitally altered to mislead viewers. The government called it a deliberate attempt to create confusion and panic among the Indian public ahead of a critical defence drill.

PIB urged citizens to remain alert to AI-enabled misinformation and always verify digital content before sharing. It emphasized the dangers of manipulated media, especially when used to target national security.

The 'Cold Start' exercise marks the Indian armed forces' first integrated war drill focused on drones and counter-drone technology, with participation from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.