Indian Army debunks Pakistan's fake claim of Gen Dhiraj Seth's removal
Synopsis
The Indian Army has publicly named and called out Pakistan-linked social media accounts spreading a fabricated story that PM Modi is set to remove Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth — a coordinated move that officials say exploits India's ongoing SIR electoral roll protests. Over 5,000 such accounts have reportedly been created in Pakistan in just two weeks.
Key Takeaways
The Indian Army on 14 October 2026 officially dismissed fabricated claims that PM Narendra Modi is preparing to remove Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth .
The Indian Army Fact Check unit on X identified the posts as part of a Pakistan-backed disinformation campaign .
Specific X accounts @indiantiwari01 and @Diksha_sharma03 were named as spreading the false narrative.
More than 5,000 social media accounts have reportedly been created in Pakistan over the past two weeks , allegedly linked to the ongoing SIR electoral roll protests .
Fake claims about police firing , lathi charges , and tear gas use are also being circulated as part of the same campaign.
Authorities have urged citizens to rely only on official sources for information on security forces and government actions.
The Indian Army on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, officially dismissed fabricated claims circulating on social media that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is preparing to remove Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth. The Army's fact-checking unit identified the posts as part of an organised Pakistani disinformation campaign aimed at projecting false internal divisions within the armed forces.
What the Army Said
The Indian Army Fact Check handle on X stated that Pakistan-linked propaganda accounts are spreading the false narrative that General Dhiraj Seth allegedly spoke against the Chief Election Commissioner and that Army officers were supposedly instructed to disobey his orders. The Army called the claim 'fabricated' and said it was posted with 'malicious intent.'
'Unverified political allegations + Fabricated military disobedience narrative + Claims of internal divisions = Misleading propaganda targeting the Indian Armed Forces,' the fact-checking unit stated.
Identified Accounts and the Disinformation Formula
The Army specifically tagged X accounts @indiantiwari01 and @Diksha_sharma03, accusing them of 'circulating fake allegations concerning India's political and military leadership' and 'creating a misleading impression of divisions within the Indian Army.' Officials described this as consistent with a coordinated formula — pairing unverified political claims with fabricated military disobedience narratives to maximise destabilising impact.
The Broader Context: SIR Protests and Digital Jihad
This episode comes against the backdrop of widespread protests across India over alleged irregularities in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI). According to officials, the sudden proliferation of Pakistani accounts is directly linked to this domestic unrest, with adversarial actors reportedly seeking to exploit public sentiment.
Over the past two weeks, more than 5,000 social media accounts have reportedly been created in Pakistan with the alleged objective of spreading misinformation and inciting violence. Posts targeting law enforcement have been particularly prominent, with fake claims about police firing, lathi charges, and tear gas use circulating at regular intervals.
Authorities Urge Caution
Officials have urged the public to rely solely on official government and military sources for verified information regarding security personnel and government notifications. The Army's swift public rebuttal signals a more proactive posture in countering information warfare, a tactic that has reportedly intensified during periods of domestic political activity in India.
With elections and civic unrest providing fertile ground for information operations, security analysts expect such disinformation campaigns to continue and potentially escalate in the coming weeks.
Point of View
A shift toward offensive counter-messaging rather than routine denial. The disinformation formula — pairing a political allegation with a military disobedience claim — is designed to fracture civil-military optics at a sensitive moment. The 5,000-accounts-in-two-weeks figure, if verified independently, would represent a significant escalation in coordinated inauthentic behaviour, warranting a formal government response beyond Army fact-checks.
NationPress
14 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What fake claim did Pakistan spread about Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth?
Pakistan-linked social media accounts falsely claimed that PM Narendra Modi is preparing to remove Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth, alleging he spoke against the Chief Election Commissioner and that officers were told to disobey his orders. The Indian Army officially called the claim 'fabricated' and attributed it to Pakistani propaganda accounts.
How did the Indian Army respond to the disinformation?
The Indian Army Fact Check unit on X publicly rebutted the claim, named specific accounts spreading it — @indiantiwari01 and @Diksha_sharma03 — and described the posts as part of an 'ongoing disinformation campaign against the Indian Army' posted with 'malicious intent.'
Why is Pakistan ramping up disinformation against India now?
According to officials, the spike is directly linked to ongoing protests across India over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls by the Election Commission of India. Adversarial actors are reportedly exploiting domestic unrest to amplify divisive narratives. More than 5,000 accounts have reportedly been created in Pakistan over the past two weeks for this purpose.
What kinds of fake content are being circulated?
Beyond the Army Chief removal claim, fake posts about police firing, lathi charges, and tear gas use against protesters are reportedly being circulated at regular intervals, with a focus on discrediting law enforcement agencies and the Union government.
What should citizens do to avoid falling for such disinformation?
Authorities have urged the public to rely exclusively on official government and military sources for any information regarding security forces and government decisions. Sharing unverified claims from anonymous or newly created accounts can amplify the intended disinformation effect.
