A fake video falsely showing Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi criticizing the govt over Operation Sindoor is circulating online. PIB confirms it’s digitally altered and spread by Pakistan-linked accounts. Admiral Tripathi has made no such statement.
Bengaluru: A digitally altered video falsely portraying Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi has surfaced on social media, sparking controversy and confusion. The Press Information Bureau (PIB) has clarified that several Pakistan-linked accounts are disseminating the fake footage, which falsely claims that Admiral Tripathi criticized the Indian government for allegedly halting military operations during Operation Sindoor and leading to damage to the Indian Air Force. The manipulated clip appears to show Admiral Tripathi accusing the government of inaction during Operation Sindoor, and suggesting that this alleged hesitation led to avoidable losses for the Indian Air Force. The video has been widely circulated, particularly through X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and messaging platforms. The PIB said that Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi has never issued any remarks critical of the government in the context of Operation Sindoor, nor has he made any comments regarding inter-services issues involving the Indian Air Force.
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Cybersecurity experts have indicated that the video bears signs of deepfake technology, including subtle inconsistencies in lip-syncing, audio artifacts, and frame mismatches. The Navy and Defence Ministry are reportedly working with law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies to trace the source of the misinformation and take necessary legal action. This incident is part of a growing trend of coordinated disinformation campaigns aimed at undermining Indian military morale and sowing distrust among the public. Several of the accounts amplifying the video have been previously flagged for spreading anti-India propaganda and false narratives linked to adversarial foreign actors. Experts warn that such fake videos, especially when involving senior military officials, pose a serious national security risk by attempting to destabilize civil-military relations and erode public confidence in armed forces leadership.
What You Can Do
The public is urged to remain vigilant and not share unverified or sensational content on social media. If you come across suspicious videos or messages, report them to relevant platforms and check with verified government sources such as:
- PIB Fact Check on X
- Ministry of Defence
- Indian Navy Official Website