A video circulating on social media, 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, has been flagged as misleading by the Indian Army’s official fact-check account on X. The video, also featuring Lt Gen Girish Kalia’s statement as a leaked admission by a senior Army officer, has been found to be digitally altered.
Indian Army Calls Video Misleading
According to the Indian Army’s fact-check account, the video uses digitally manipulated remarks to spread false information. It noted that the original footage is from a press briefing delivered by then GOC of the 28 Infantry Division, Maj Gen Girish Kalia, in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, on October 27, 2023. During the presser, he spoke about infiltration attempts across the Line of Control (LoC).
The Army clearly stated that Kalia had talked about 10 infiltration attempts which were foiled, elimination of 27 terrorists and recovery of warlike stores and narcotics. He did not make any statements about China taking control of areas in Arunachal Pradesh or the Indian Army being denied essential supplies.
The fact-check account further explained that the misleading video combines an old military briefing with digitally manipulated remarks, false attribution, and fabricated territorial claims. The Indian Army urged people to verify the original speech before sharing such videos to prevent the spread of misleading information.
Another Video Fact Checked
Earlier on Sunday, it had also flagged a video circulating on social media, claiming to show Chinese soldiers being beaten and captured by the Indian Army during an ongoing standoff along the LAC as "unverified". The footage had surfaced on social media more than a month after Indian and Chinese sides shared one of the memorable moments during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to New Delhi for the BRICS Summit.
According to a fact-check alert issued by the Indian Army’s fact-checking account, the footage had not been authenticated and was being falsely presented as a recent confrontation between Indian and Chinese troops.
"Several social media accounts are circulating an unverified video with the claim-- many Chinese soldiers beaten and captured by Indian Army at LAC during ongoing standoff. The footage is unauthenticated and is being falsely projected as a recent confrontation, leading to rumours and confusion about the ground situation at the LAC," the post on X by the Indian Army fact check unit wrote.