New Delhi, March 16: The Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check unit on Monday issued a warning about an AI-generated deepfake video of former Chief of Army Staff, Manoj Pande, being circulated online by Pakistani propaganda accounts with misleading claims about the Indian Army.

In a statement, the PIB Fact Check unit said the manipulated video falsely portrays Gen. Manoj Pande (Retd.) making controversial remarks regarding the functioning and conduct of the Indian Army.

“Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating a digitally manipulated video, falsely showing the former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Manoj Pande (Retd.), making false statements regarding the Indian Army. Beware! This is an AI-generated deepfake video,” the PIB Fact Check stated, clarifying that the former Army chief has not made any such statement.

It further cautioned that such digitally altered content is being spread as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign aimed at misleading the public and undermining trust in the Indian Armed Forces. The agency urged citizens to verify information from official and credible sources before sharing it on social media platforms.

“Pakistani propaganda accounts are circulating such manipulated videos as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign to mislead the public and undermine trust in Indian Armed Forces,” it added.

In the manipulated clip circulating online, the former Army chief appears to make remarks alleging that supporting Israel has caused losses to the Indian Army and that soldiers are being forced to become an “ethnic force.” The video also falsely claims that Israeli instructors are training Indian Army personnel to dehumanise certain communities and that the situation could lead to a revolt within the forces.

However, the PIB clarified that the remarks in the viral clip have been digitally fabricated. In the original video, Manoj Pande can be heard speaking about the need for the armed forces to remain prepared for future security challenges.

“We live in a complex world. We should not only be able to deal with the current security challenges but also anticipate the future. Once you anticipate, you must prepare accordingly and develop the capabilities required to effectively fight future wars. The armed forces have to be future-ready,” he said in the authentic video.

The PIB reiterated that such manipulated content is part of attempts to spread misinformation online and advised the public to remain cautious while consuming and sharing sensitive information related to national security.

Earlier on March 10, the PIB Fact Check unit dismissed as fake a viral claim on social media that India had shared the location of an Iranian naval ship with Israel, reportedly based on an AI-generated video of Indian Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi that was widely circulated by Pakistani propaganda accounts and later amplified by a Turkish newspaper.

According to PIB Fact Check, the Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak cited the manipulated video and claimed that India had admitted to sharing the location of an Iranian ship with Israel. However, the government’s fact-checking unit clarified that the claim was completely false and misleading.

New Delhi, March 16: The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi has expressed gratitude to Indian citizens who have shown interest in providing humanitarian aid to Iranians affected by the ongoing conflict, but noted that technical difficulties have made it challenging to accept contributions via online banking.

In a post on X, the embassy thanked “our dear Indian brothers and sisters for their continued support” while acknowledging problems with online transfers. “Due to some reported difficulties in transferring funds to the Embassy’s account, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to our dear Indian brothers and sisters for their continued support,” the post read.

The mission advised donors to avoid using GP (GPay) for now, and instead suggested that contributions be made in cash directly at the embassy.

“Cash donations may be made directly at the Embassy,” it said, adding thanks for the solidarity and patience shown by Indian supporters. Embassy officials also said they are working to resolve the online transfer issues.

The appeal comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia, where Israel and the United States have been conducting military strikes against Iranian targets. Iran has responded with retaliatory attacks across the Gulf region, targeting US and Israeli assets. As the conflict intensifies, the humanitarian impact has prompted citizens worldwide, including in India, to seek ways to provide relief.

A day before the latest advisory, the embassy had shared its bank account details online after receiving repeated requests from Indian citizens eager to help. It provided details of its State Bank of India account and requested that donors send payment confirmations via WhatsApp if they opted for electronic transfers.

While the embassy continues to facilitate donations, officials stressed that, due to ongoing technical challenges, cash contributions remain the most reliable way to support relief efforts for Iranians affected by the conflict.

The embassy’s message highlights both the willingness of Indian citizens to contribute in times of crisis and the practical challenges of ensuring secure and timely delivery of humanitarian aid amid banking and technological hurdles.

India and Iran have a long history of cultural, economic, and diplomatic ties, with their relationship strengthened over time through collaboration in sectors such as trade, energy, and regional development.

Mumbai: The Mumbai Airport Customs officials on Sunday arrested a 28-year-old man for allegedly smuggling drugs worth Rs 12.68 crore sourced from Bangkok.

According to the Customs sources, on the basis of spot profiling, a passenger Noushad Olappulan, a resident of Kerala, was intercepted on Sunday after he arrived at the international airport in Mumbai from Bangkok.

The Customs officials then examined his bag and found it to be containing clothes and Upon removing the clothes, 12 packets containing green coloured dry leafy substance in lump form were found. The said material tested positive for the presence of narcotic drug purported to be hydroponic weed, a substance covered under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The officials recovered and seized total 12688 grams of hydroponic weed valued at Rs 12.68 crore. In his statement, he admitted non-declaration, concealment, recovery and seizure of the narcotics substance that is fruiting and flowering-top of plant purported to be hydroponic weed having net weight 12688 grams from his bag.

“The accused stated that he was getting handsome amount of quick money for drugs. The investigations in the case are at a very preliminary stage and efforts are also being made to identify and apprehend key associates of the accused. We are probing who had supplied drugs to the accused in Bangkok and who was supposed to receive the same in Mumbai,” said a Customs official.

The DRI in its recent report had stated policy changes permitting the cultivation and sale of cannabis in Thailand have increased accessibility, creating new opportunities for traffickers. This has led to rising instances of hydroponic weed being smuggled into India through airports and courier routes. Most cases involved smuggling from Bangkok to various Indian airports, following a common modus operandi wherein carriers conceal weed in vacuum-sealed packets.