The Indian Army has debunked a digitally manipulated video circulating on social media that falsely attributes remarks about Chinese control of parts of Arunachal Pradesh to senior officer Lt Gen Girish Kalia.
The video allegedly portrays the officer as making a “leaked admission” that China had taken control of Asaphila, Longjou and Taksing Circle in Arunachal Pradesh. It also falsely claims that Indian Army personnel deployed in the sector were being denied essential supplies.
The Army’s fact-checking unit took to X to clarify that the video contained fabricated statements and urged people not to share misleading content without verifying its authenticity.
“A digitally altered video is being circulated with fabricated remarks attributed to Lt Gen Girish Kalia, claiming that China has taken control of Asaphila, Longjou and Taksing Circle in Arunachal Pradesh and that the Indian Army has been denied essential supplies. The misleading video attempts to portray fabricated statements as a leaked admission by a senior Indian Army officer,” the unit said.
Original video dates back to 2023 briefing in Kashmir
The Army clarified that the viral clip was taken from a press briefing delivered by then General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 28 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Girish Kalia, in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, on October 27, 2023.
The original footage had no connection to Chinese control of territory in Arunachal Pradesh or claims that Indian troops were being denied supplies.
“The video uses #SyntheticGeneratedInformation to falsely attribute remarks to Lt Gen Girish Kalia. The original footage relates to a press briefing delivered by then GOC 28 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Girish Kalia, in Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir, on 27 October 2023,” the Army’s fact-checking unit said.
It added that the officer had spoken about infiltration attempts across the Line of Control (LoC), reporting 10 foiled attempts, the elimination of 27 terrorists and the recovery of warlike stores and narcotics.
“He made no such statements about Chinese control over Arunachal Pradesh or denial of supplies to the Indian Army,” the unit clarified.
What Maj Gen Girish Kalia said in the original briefing
During the 2023 press briefing, Kalia detailed security operations along the Line of Control and attempts to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir.
“There has been a constant endeavour from across the Line of Control to disturb the peace and vitiate the security environment in Jammu and Kashmir. You all have been witness to the continuous attempts of infiltration being made from across the Line of Control. In the last eight months, we've had 10 such attempts in our divisional area of responsibility which have resulted in the elimination of 27 terrorists and recovery of large quantity of warlike stores,” he had said.
The officer also spoke about the recovery of narcotics and alleged links between Pakistan’s defence establishments and terrorist groups.
“In addition, we've also recovered a huge quantity of narcotics which establishes a deep nexus between the defence establishments in Pakistan and the terrorist groups...Yesterday's operation in a way is a befitting tribute to our infantrymen who have worked tirelessly for the last many decades to ensure that peace continues to prevail in the valley. The security forces are working in complete synergy today. We are committed to defeat any attempt of the enemy to disrupt the security situation in Kashmir Valley with firm resoluteness and steadfast commitment,” he added.
Army urges public to verify viral content
The Army’s clarification highlights how footage from an earlier military briefing has been repurposed to attribute fabricated statements to a senior officer and create a misleading narrative about the situation along the India-China border.
The fact-checking unit urged people to check the original footage and verify claims before sharing or amplifying manipulated videos on social media.