NEW DELHI: The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit on Sunday debunked social media claims originating from Pakistan-based propaganda accounts that alleged Pakistan destroyed India’s Rafale fighter jets and S-400 air defence systems during Operation Sindoor.PIB Fact Check in a post on X said the claims are being pushed through a doctored, AI-generated video of former Indian Army chief General Ved Prakash Malik (Retd), falsely portraying him as praising Pakistan’s military capabilities and admitting losses of Indian defence assets.“The video in question is fake and has been digitally manipulated using AI tools,” PIB Fact Check said in the post, adding, “General Ved Prakash Malik (Retd) has NOT made any such remarks.” Warning against the spread of fabricated content, the government’s fact-checking agency said such material is aimed at misleading citizens and undermining confidence in India’s defence preparedness and military capabilities.“Such fabricated content is intended to mislead citizens and undermine confidence in India’s defence capabilities. Verify facts. Stop misinformation,” it further said.The fake clip claims Pakistan has superior weapons and equipment and alleges that the purported destruction of Rafale jets and the S-400 missile defence system demonstrates military dominance, even suggesting India needs to upgrade its defence equipment. Countering the narrative, PIB Fact Check shared the original video in which General Malik explains the technological advancements in defence and the nature of modern warfare during Operation Sindoor.“During Operation Sindoor, we didn’t even cross each other’s border. Technological advancement is so immense. We now have standoff weapons; both nations have them. So we can hit each other while being away from the border,” he said.He added, “But definitely, in India we have better weapons and equipment.” Ever since Operation Sindoor was launched in May earlier this year, targeting Pakistani-sponsored terror infrastructure in POK and Pakistan as a response to the Pahalgham terror attack, the neighbouring country has tried to propagate misinformation and disinformation against New Delhi using social media.
