Did PIB Debunk a Deepfake Video Misrepresenting Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh's Statements?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The PIB debunked a deepfake video misrepresenting Air Chief Marshal Singh's statements.
- AI-generated disinformation poses a growing threat to national security.
- Air Chief Marshal Singh confirmed significant victories for the IAF.
- Public reliance on verified sources is crucial.
- Media literacy is essential in combating misinformation.
New Delhi, Aug 12 (NationPress) The Press Information Bureau's (PIB) Fact Check unit has officially debunked a digitally manipulated video that inaccurately depicts the Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, claiming he admitted to the loss of six fighter jets and one Heron UAV during the air engagements on May 7.
The widely circulated video was found to be an AI-generated deepfake.
It falsely alleged that the Air Chief Marshal acknowledged substantial losses for India during Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory air campaign following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
In truth, Air Chief Marshal Singh made no such statement.
During his verified public address at the 16th Air Chief Marshal LM Katre Memorial Lecture in Bengaluru on August 9, he elaborated on India's successful air operations, confirming the IAF had downed five Pakistani fighter jets and a large surveillance aircraft—likely an AWACS or ELINT platform—at a distance of 300 km.
He described this achievement as “the largest ever recorded surface-to-air kill” by India.
The complete, unedited speech is accessible on YouTube, where he discusses the strategic deployment of India's S-400 air defence system, precision strikes on Pakistani command centres in Muridke and Chaklala, and the destruction of radar sites and hangars housing F-16s.
At no point does he reference any loss of Indian jets or UAVs.
PIB Fact Check has decisively stated that the viral clip is fabricated and part of a wider misinformation campaign orchestrated by pro-Pakistan social media accounts.
The agency has urged citizens to depend on verified governmental sources and to avoid sharing unverified content that could jeopardize national security narratives.
The esteemed IAF officer detailed plans, war tactics, and targets that India successfully destroyed in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor through a PowerPoint presentation supported by satellite images.
This deepfake video highlights the increasing danger of AI-generated disinformation in defense and strategic contexts, prompting renewed calls for digital vigilance and media literacy.