A doctored AI-generated video featuring Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi falsely stating that activist Sonam Wangchuk died in custody has been circulated by Pakistani propaganda accounts. The video has been identified as a fake by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of India, which labeled it disinformation aimed at undermining the reputation of the Indian armed forces. The manipulated clip purportedly showed General Dwivedi expressing regret over Wangchuk’s custodial death, a claim entirely fabricated.
This AI deepfake video has been strategically shared to mislead audiences by falsely implicating the military in human rights violations, capitalizing on Sonam Wangchuk’s profile as a prominent activist. Independent fact checkers and media organizations have confirmed the video’s inauthenticity, highlighting how AI technology is being exploited to create synthetic media with malicious intent. Wangchuk himself has been reported as safe and sound, with his wife confirming the falsehood of the claims in the video.
Such incidents underscore the rising challenge of AI-driven misinformation campaigns targeting public figures and institutions, especially in politically sensitive contexts. The PIB’s timely intervention in debunking the video serves as a critical measure to preserve public trust and prevent the spread of propaganda that could escalate tensions. This case exemplifies the increasing necessity for vigilance amid the evolving landscape of AI-enhanced disinformation in the information space.
