Amid heightened regional tensions, India recently initiated large-scale combined military maneuvers known as ‘Trishul 2025’ near its western frontier. These high-stakes war games, designed to test rapid deployment capabilities using armored divisions, fighter aircraft, and advanced drone systems, are officially described by defense officials as routine preparedness measures.
However, the exercises became the subject of widespread political controversy on social media, fueled by the circulation of two highly deceptive videos.
Over recent days, multiple social media accounts shared two separate clips that claimed to feature senior Indian military officers publicly criticizing the ‘Trishul’ exercises. These posts, many originating from accounts known for anti-India or politically polarized content, alleged that the military operations were nothing more than a carefully orchestrated political stunt aimed at boosting the image of the incumbent government ahead of the upcoming legislative assembly elections in Bihar (scheduled for November 2025).
The first video, widely shared, falsely attributed comments to Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, the South Western Army Commander. The fabricated audio claimed the exercises were “pushed for political optics” and urged soldiers to remain professional, warning against the “saffronisation” of the armed forces. This clip garnered tens of thousands of views, particularly among partisan accounts.
A second, separate video featured Colonel Sofia Qureshi at what appeared to be a press briefing. The altered audio claimed she denounced the exercises as a “political gimmick” intended to sway the Bihar elections. In the fabricated transcript, she expressed frustration at being used as a “prop for Muslim support” and strongly criticized the alleged “saffronisation of the Indian Army.” This video also quickly went viral, racking up significant engagement.
Fact-checks were immediately initiated due to the severity and virality of these purported political statements coming from senior military personnel. The investigation conclusively determined that both videos are entirely false, having been expertly dubbed over using AI-generated audio.
Forensic analysis utilizing digital verification tools detected a high probability of artificial intelligence manipulation in both clips, indicating the audio tracks were added to legitimate video footage.
1. **Regarding Lt Gen Manjinder Singh:** Reverse-image searches traced the original footage to a briefing held following a different exercise, codenamed “Sentinel Strike.” In the authentic clip, the Lieutenant General was discussing India’s evolving defense doctrines, including the shift toward considering any terror act as an act of war, and emphasizing modernization, such as a focus on maximizing night training. At no point did he discuss domestic politics, elections, or criticize the ‘Trishul’ exercises.
2. **Regarding Colonel Sofia Qureshi:** The original video of Colonel Qureshi was found to be from an address delivered at a Young Leaders Forum. Her speech was entirely focused on the vital role of India’s youth in national security and the importance of combining intellect (“Saashtra”) with warfare (“Shashtra”). Like the Lieutenant General, she made no remarks whatsoever concerning the politicization of the army, the ‘Trishul’ drills, or the Bihar elections.
In conclusion, the widely shared clips claiming that senior Indian military officers criticized the Trishul exercises as political optics are entirely manufactured. The statements attributed to Lt Gen Manjinder Singh and Colonel Sofia Qureshi were fabricated using sophisticated digital alteration techniques.
