#FactCheck - Deepfake Video Falsely Claims visuals of a massive rally held in Manipur

Executive Summary:

False information spread on social media that Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh, India’s first female Rafale pilot, had been captured by Pakistan during “Operation Sindoor”. The allegations are untrue and baseless as no credible or official confirmation supports the claim, and Singh is confirmed to be safe and actively serving. The rumor, likely originating from unverified sources, sparked public concern and underscored the serious threat fake news poses to national security. 

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Claim:

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An X user posted stating that “ Initial image released of a female Indian Shivani singh Rafale pilot shot down in Pakistan”. It was falsely claimed that Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh had been captured, and that the Rafale aircraft was shot down by Pakistan. 

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Fact Check:

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After doing reverse image search, we found an instagram post stating the two Indian Air Force pilots—Wing Commander Tejpal (50) and trainee Bhoomika (28)—who had ejected from a Kiran Jet Trainer during a routine training sortie from Bengaluru before it crashed near Bhogapuram village in Karnataka. The aircraft exploded upon impact, but both pilots were later found alive, though injured and exhausted. 

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Also we found a youtube channel which is showing the video from the past and not what it was claimed to be. 

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Conclusion:

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The false claims about Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh being captured by Pakistan and her Rafale jet being shot down have been debunked. The image used was unrelated and showed IAF pilots from a separate training incident. Several media also confirmed that its video made no mention of Ms. Singh’s arrest. This highlights the dangers of misinformation, especially concerning national security. Verifying facts through credible sources and avoiding the spread of unverified content is essential to maintain public trust and protect the reputation of those serving in the armed forces.

• Claim: False claims about Flight Lieutenant Shivangi Singh being captured by Pakistan and her Rafale jet being shot down
• Claimed On:  Social Media
• Fact Check: False and Misleading

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Introduction

The ramifications of cybercrime can be far-reaching. Depending on the size of the attack, even entire countries can be affected if their critical infrastructure is connected to the internet. The vast majority of security breaches start within the perimeter and most internet attacks are socially engineered. Unwittingly trusting any email or web request from an unknown sender creates a potential danger for those organisations that depend on the Internet for their business functions. In this ever-evolving digital downtown yet another group has emerged from its darkest corners of targeting the UK’s very bastion of British and global heritage; a treasure trove of around 14 million volumes, ancient manuscripts, in the precious British Library. A group self-identified as Rhysida. Their bold maneuver, executed with the stealth of seasoned cyber brigands, has cast a shadow as long and dark as those found in the Gothic novels that rest on the library's shelves. The late October cyber-attack has thrust the British Library into an unnerving state of chaos, a situation more commonly aligned with works of dystopian fiction than the everyday reality of a revered institution.

The Modus Operandi

The gang uses all-new Rhysida ransomware to jeopardize Virtual Private Networks, which is typically used by library staff to gain access to their employee’s systems remotely. The Ransomware presents itself as a regular decoy file in a familiar fashion as regular phishing attacks in an email, tricking its victim and downloading itself into the host system.  Once the malware enters the system it stays dormant and lurks around the system for a period of time. The new malware has significantly reduced the dwell time from 4 days to less than 24 hours which enables it to evade periodic system checks to avoid detection.

 Implications of Cyber Attack

Implications of the cyber-attack have been sobering and multifaceted. The library's systems, which serve as the lifeline for countless scholars, students, and the reading public, were left in disarray, unsettlingly reminiscent of a grand mansion invaded by incorporeal thieves. The violation has reverberated through the digital corridors of this once-impenetrable fortress, and the virtual aftershocks are ongoing. Patrons, who traverse a diverse spectrum of society, but share a common reverence for knowledge, received unsettling news: the possibility that their private data has been compromised—a sanctity breached, revealing yet again how even the most hallowed of spaces are not impervious to modern threats.

It is with no small sense of irony that we consider the nature of the stolen goods—names, email addresses, and the like. It is not the physical tomes of inestimable value that have been ransacked, but rather the digital footprints of those who sought the wisdom within the library's walls. This virtual Pandora's Box, now unleashed onto the dark web, has been tagged with a monetary value. Rhysida has set the ominous asking price of a staggering $740,000 worth of cryptocurrency for the compromised data, flaunting their theft with a hubris that chills the spine.

Yet, in this convoluted narrative unfolds a subplot that offers some measure of consolation. Payment information purports the library has not been included in this digital heist, offering a glint of reassurance amidst the prevailing uncertainty. This digital storm has had seismic repercussions: the library's website and interconnected systems have been besieged and access to the vast resources significantly hampered. The distressing notice of a 'major technology outage' transformed the digital facade from a portal for endless learning to a bulletin of sorrow, projecting the sombre message across virtual space.

The Impact

The impact of this violation will resonate far beyond the mere disruption of services; it signals the dawn of an era where venerable institutions of culture and learning must navigate the depths of cybersecurity. As the library grapples with the breach, a new front has opened in the age-old battle for the preservation of knowledge. The continuity of such an institution in a digitised world will be tested, and the outcome will define the future of digital heritage management. As the institution rallies, led by Roly Keating, its Chief Executive, one observes not a defeatist retreat, but a stoic, strategic regrouping. Gratitude is extended to patrons and partners whose patience has become as vital a resource as the knowledge the library preserves. The reassurances given, while acknowledging the laborious task ahead, signal not just an intention to repair but to fortify, to adapt, to evolve amidst adversity.

This wretched turn of events serves as a portentous reminder that threats to our most sacred spaces have transformed. The digital revolution has indeed democratised knowledge but has also exposed it to neoteric threats. The British Library, a repository of the past, must now confront a distinctly modern adversary. It requires us to posit whether our contemporary guardians of history are equipped to combat those who wield malicious code as their weapons of choice.

Best Practices for Cyber Resilience 

It is crucial to keep abreast with recent developments in cyberspace and emerging trends. Libraries in the digital age must ensure the protection of their patron’s data by applying comprehensive security protocols to safeguard the integrity, availability and confidentiality of sensitive information of their patrons. A few measures that can be applied by libraries include. 

• Secured Wi-Fi networks: Libraries offering public Wi-Fi facilities must secure them with strong encryption protocols such as WPA 3. Libraries should establish separate networks for internal operations allowing separation of staff and public networks to protect sensitive information. 
• Staff Training Programs: To avoid human error it is imperative that comprehensive training programs are conducted on a regular basis to generate greater awareness of cyber threats among staff and educate them about best practices of cyber hygiene and data security. 
• Data Backups and Recovery Protocols: Patrons' sensitive data should be updated and backed up regularly. Proper verification of the user’s data integrity is crucial and should be stored securely in a dedicated repository to ensure full recovery of the user’s data in the event of a breach. 
• Strong Authentication: Strong authentication to enhance library defenses is crucial to combat cyber threats. Staff and Patrons should be educated on strong password usage and the implementation of Multi-Factor Authentication to add an extra layer of security. 

Conclusion

Finally, whatever the future holds, what remains unassailable is the cultural edifice that is the British Library. Its trials and tribulations, like those of the volumes it safeguards, become a part of a larger narrative of endurance and defiance. In the canon of history—filled with conflicts and resolutions—the library, like the lighter anecdotes and tragic tales it harbours, will decidedly hold its place. And perhaps, with some assurance, we might glean from the sentiment voiced by Milton—an assurance that the path from turmoil to enlightenment, though fraught with strenuous challenges, is paved with lessons learned and resilience rediscovered. Cyberspace is constantly evolving hence it is in our best interest to keep abreast of all developments in this digital sphere. Maximum threats can be avoided if we are vigilant. 

 References:

• https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67544504

Introduction

In a landmark move for India’s growing artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, ten cutting-edge Indian startups have been selected to participate in the prestigious Global AI Accelerator Programme in Paris. This initiative, jointly facilitated by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the IndiaAI mission, aims to project India’s AI innovation on the global stage, empower startups to scale impactful solutions while fostering cross-border collaboration.

Launched in alignment with the vision of India as a global AI powerhouse, the IndiaAI initiative has been working on strengthening domestic AI capabilities. Participation in the Paris Accelerator Programme is a direct extension of this mission, offering Indian startups access to world-class mentorship, investor networks, and a thriving innovation ecosystem in France, one of Europe’s AI capitals.

Global Acceleration for Local Impact

The ten selected startups represent diverse verticals, from conversational AI to cybersecurity, edtech and surveillance intelligence. This selection was made after a rigorous evaluation of innovation potential, scalability, and societal impact. Each of these ventures represents India's technological ambition and capacity to solve real-world problems through AI.

The significance of this opportunity goes beyond business growth. It sets the foundation for collaborative policy dialogues, ethical AI development, and bilateral innovation frameworks. With rising global scrutiny on issues such as AI safety, bias, and misinformation, the need for making efforts for a more responsible innovation takes centre stage.

CyberPeace Outlook

India’s participation opens up a pivotal chapter in India's AI diplomacy. Through such initiatives, the importance of AI is not confined just to commercial tools but also as a cornerstone of national security, citizen safety, and digital sovereignty can be explored. As AI systems increasingly integrate with critical infrastructure from health to law enforcement, the role of cyber resilience becomes significant. With the increasing engagement of AI in several sensitive sectors like audio-video surveillance and digital edtech, there is an urgent need for secure-by-design innovation. Including parameters such as security, ethics, and accountability into the development lifecycle becomes important, aligning with its broader goal of harmonising with digital progress.

Conclusion

India’s participation in the Paris Accelerator Programme signifies its commitment to shaping global AI norms and innovation diplomacy. As Indian startups interact with European regulators, investors, and technologists, they carry the responsibility of representing not just business acumen but the values of an open, inclusive, and secure digital future.

This global exposure also feeds directly into India’s domestic AI strategies, a global platform informing policy evolution, enhancing research and development networks, and building a robust talent pipeline. Programmes like these act as bridges, ensuring India remains adaptive in the ever-evolving AI landscape. Encouraging such global engagements while actively working with stakeholders to build frameworks safeguarding national interests, protecting civil liberties, and fostering innovation becomes paramount. As India takes this global leap, the journey ahead must be shaped by innovation, collaboration, and vigilance. 

References

• https://egov.eletsonline.com/2025/05/indiaai-selects-10-innovative-startups-for-prestigious-ai-accelerator-programme-in-paris/#:~:text=The%2010%20startups%20selected%20for,audio%2Dvideo%20analytics%20for%20surveillance. 
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2132377 
• https://inc42.com/buzz/meet-the-10-indian-ai-startups-selected-for-global-acceleration-programme/ ‍
• https://www.businessworld.in/article/govt-to-send-10-ai-startups-to-paris-accelerator-in-push-for-global-reach-558251