PIB debunks fake video of Ladakh DGP, calls it digitally altered and warns against misinformation

Jammu, Sept 30: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) on Tuesday exposed a deepfake video circulating widely on social media that falsely shows Ladakh Director General of Police (DGP) S.D. Singh claimed that activist Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on the orders of the Defence Minister. Clarifying that the video is digitally manipulated and fabricated, the PIB urged people not to fall for such misinformation designed to mislead the public and incite confusion.

“A digitally altered video of Ladakh DGP Dr. S.D. Singh is circulating on social media, in which he is shown making claims that Sonam Wangchuk was arrested on the directions of the Defence Minister, without any evidence,” the PIB Fact Check unit said in a statement. It categorically asserted that the DGP has made no such statement and warned that the video is a product of artificial intelligence manipulation, crafted to distort facts and fuel misinformation around a sensitive issue.

The PIB advised citizens to exercise caution, verify information before sharing, and remain vigilant against the spread of such content, which has the potential to create unnecessary panic and public unrest. “Beware of such AI-generated videos shared with the intent to mislead the public and cause confusion and panic,” the statement added.

Authorities have also highlighted the growing threat of deepfake videos, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated and harder to detect. Experts have stressed the need for both public awareness and regulatory safeguards to counter the rising menace of misinformation campaigns that exploit emerging technologies.