#FactCheck-Deepfake Video Falsely Claims Indian Army JCO Criticised Govt, Resigned
Executive Summary
A video circulating on social media allegedly shows an Indian Army Air Defence JCO, identified as “Anurag Thakur,” criticising the Central government and announcing his resignation. In the clip, the individual is purportedly heard expressing disappointment with the government’s support for soldiers and claiming heavy casualties within his unit. However, an investigation by the CyberPeace Research Wing has found the claim to be false and the video manipulated.
Claim:
The viral post alleges that an Indian Army Air Defence JCO criticised the Centre and resigned, citing lack of support for soldiers and unacknowledged casualties.
Fact Check:
A keyword search using terms such as “Indian Army Air Defence JCO,” “Anurag Thakur,” and “resignation” did not yield any credible news reports supporting the claim. A reverse image search of the viral clip led to an original video posted by ANI on April 22, 2026. The ANI watermark is also visible in the viral footage, confirming that the clip has been sourced from this original video.
In the authentic version, the same personnel appears in the same setting, but he is speaking in Hindi about operations against adversary drones during “Operation Sindoor” in May 2025. He explains how his unit detected and neutralised multiple drones, successfully safeguarding a critical installation. Importantly, the original video does not identify the individual as Anurag Thakur, nor does it contain any reference to resignation, casualties, or criticism of the government.
Further technical analysis using the AI detection tool Hive Moderation indicated that the audio in the viral clip has an 86 percent likelihood of being artificially generated.
Conclusion:
The viral video has been altered with fabricated audio to falsely claim that an Indian Army officer criticised the government and resigned. The claim is baseless and the clip is a clear case of a deepfake created to mislead viewers.
Related Blogs
Executive Summary
Recent claims circulating on social media allege that an Indian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet was shot down by Pakistani forces during "Operation Sindoor." These reports suggest the incident involved a jet crash attributed to hostile action. However, these assertions have been officially refuted. No credible evidence supports the existence of such an operation or the downing of an Indian aircraft as described. The Indian Air Force has not confirmed any such event, and the claim appears to be misinformation.
Claim
A social media rumor has been circulating, suggesting that an Indian Air Force MiG-29 fighter jet was shot down by Pakistani Air forces during "Operation Sindoor." The claim is accompanied by images purported to show the wreckage of the aircraft.
Fact Check
The social media posts have falsely claimed that a Pakistani Air Force shot down an Indian Air Force MiG-29 during "Operation Sindoor." This claim has been confirmed to be untrue. The image being circulated is not related to any recent IAF operations and has been previously used in unrelated contexts. The content being shared is misleading and does not reflect any verified incident involving the Indian Air Force.
After conducting research by extracting key frames from the video and performing reverse image searches, we successfully traced the original post, which was first published in 2024, and can be seen in a news article from The Hindu and Times of India.
A MiG-29 fighter jet of the Indian Air Force (IAF), engaged in a routine training mission, crashed near Barmer, Rajasthan, on Monday evening (September 2, 2024). Fortunately, the pilot safely ejected and escaped unscathed, hence the claim is false and an act to spread misinformation.
Conclusion
The claims regarding the downing of an Indian Air Force MiG-29 during "Operation Sindoor" are unfounded and lack any credible verification. The image being circulated is outdated and unrelated to current IAF operations. There has been no official confirmation of such an incident, and the narrative appears to be misleading. Peoples are advised to rely on verified sources for accurate information regarding defence matters.
- Claim: Pakistan Shot down an Indian Fighter Jet, MIG-29
- Claimed On: Social Media
- Fact Check: False and Misleading
Amid protests against rising inflation in Iran, a video is being widely shared on social media showing people gathering on streets at night while using mobile phone flashlights. The video is being circulated with the claim that it shows recent protests in Iran. Cyber Peace Foundation’s research found that the video being shared as visuals from the ongoing protests in Iran is not real. Our investigation revealed that the viral video is AI-generated and has no connection with actual events on the ground.
Claim
On January 11, 2026, an Instagram user shared the video with a caption written in Spanish. The Hindi translation of the caption reads: “The Iranian government shut down the lights of protesters, but that did not stop them from remaining on the streets demanding that the Ayatollahs step down from power.”The post link, its archived version, and screenshots can be seen below: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTXqzayjqFz/
FactCheck:
To verify the claim, we extracted keyframes from the viral video and conducted a Google reverse image search.During this process, we found the same video uploaded on Instagram on January 11, 2026. In that post, the user explicitly stated that the video was created using AI. The caption reads that the streetlights were turned off to hide the scale of protesters, but people used their phone lights to show their presence, adding:
“I created this video using AI, inspired by tonight’s protests (January 10, 2026) in Tehran, Iran.” Link to the post and screenshot can be seen below: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTWXsHajNvl/
To further verify the authenticity of the video, we scanned it using multiple AI detection tools.Hive Moderation flagged the video as 97 percent AI-generated.
We also scanned the video using another AI detection tool, Wasitai, which likewise identified the video as AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our investigation confirms that the video being shared as footage from protests in Iran is not real. The viral video has been created using artificial intelligence and is being falsely linked to the ongoing protests. The claim circulating on social media is false and misleading.
Introduction
The unprecedented cyber espionage attempt on the Indian Air Force has shocked the military fraternity in the age of the internet where innovation is vital to national security. The attackers have shown a high degree of expertise in their techniques, using a variant of the infamous Go Stealer and current military acquisition pronouncements as a cover to obtain sensitive information belonging to the Indian Air Force. In this recent cyber espionage revelation, the Indian Air Force faces a sophisticated attack leveraging the infamous Go Stealer malware. The timing, coinciding with the Su-30 MKI fighter jets' procurement announcement, raises serious questions about possible national security espionage actions.
A sophisticated attack using the Go Stealer malware exploits defense procurement details, notably the approval of 12 Su-30 MKI fighter jets. Attackers employ a cunningly named ZIP file, "SU-30_Aircraft_Procurement," distributed through an anonymous platform, Oshi, taking advantage of heightened tension surrounding defense procurement.
Advanced Go Stealer Variant:
The malware, coded in Go language, introduces enhancements, including expanded browser targeting and a unique data exfiltration method using Slack, showcasing a higher level of sophistication.
Strategic Targeting of Indian Air Force Professionals:
The attack strategically focuses on extracting login credentials and cookies from specific browsers, revealing the threat actor's intent to gather precise and sensitive information.
Timing Raises Espionage Concerns:
The cyber attack coincides with the Indian Government's Su-30 MKI fighter jets procurement announcement, raising suspicions of targeted attacks or espionage activities.
The Deceitful ZIP ArchiveSU-30 Aircraft Acquisition
The cyberattack materialised as a sequence of painstakingly planned actions. Using the cleverly disguised ZIP file "SU-30_Aircraft_Procurement," the perpetrators took benefit of the authorisation of 12 Su-30 MKI fighter jets by the Indian Defense Ministry in September 2023. Distributed via the anonymous file storage network Oshi, the fraudulent file most certainly made its way around via spam emails or other forms of correspondence.
The Spread of Infection and Go Stealer Payload:
The infiltration procedure progressed through a ZIP file to an ISO file, then to a.lnk file, which finally resulted in the Go Stealer payload being released. This Go Stealer version, written in the programming language Go, adds sophisticated capabilities, such as a wider range of browsing focussed on and a cutting-edge technique for collecting information using the popular chat app Slack.
Superior Characteristics of the Go Stealer Version
Different from its GitHub equivalent, this Go Stealer version exhibits a higher degree of complexity. It creates a log file in the machine owned by the victim when it is executed and makes use of GoLang utilities like GoReSym for in-depth investigation. The malware focuses on cookies and usernames and passwords from web browsers, with a particular emphasis on Edge, Brave, and Google Chrome.
This kind is unique in that it is more sophisticated. Its deployment's cyber enemies have honed its strengths, increasing its potency and detection resistance. Using GoLang tools like GoReSym for comprehensive evaluation demonstrates the threat actors' careful planning and calculated technique.
Go Stealer: Evolution of Threat
The Go Stealer first appeared as a free software project on GitHub and quickly became well-known for its capacity to stealthily obtain private data from consumers who aren't paying attention. Its effectiveness and stealthy design rapidly attracted the attention of cyber attackers looking for a sophisticated tool for clandestine data exfiltration. It was written in the Go programming language.
Several cutting-edge characteristics distinguish the Go Stealer from other conventional data thieves. From the beginning, it showed a strong emphasis on browser focusing on, seeking to obtain passwords and login information from particular websites including Edge, Brave, and Google Chrome.The malware's initial iteration was nurtured on the GitHub database, which has the Go Stealer initial edition. Threat actors have improved and altered the code to serve their evil goals, even if the basic structure is freely accessible.
The Go Stealer version that has been discovered as the cause of the current internet spying by the Indian Air Force is not limited to its GitHub roots. It adds features that make it more dangerous, like a wider range of browsers that may be targeted and a brand-new way to exfiltrate data via Slack, a popular messaging app.
Secret Communications and Information Expulsion
This variation is distinguished by its deliberate usage of the Slack API for secret chats. Slack was chosen because it is widely used in company networks and allows harmful activity to blend in with normal business traffic. The purpose of the function "main_Vulpx" is specifically to upload compromised information to the attacker's Slack route, allowing for covert data theft and communication.
The Time and Strategic Objective
There are worries about targeted assaults or espionage activities due to the precise moment of the cyberattack, which coincides with the Indian government's declaration of its acquisition of Su-30 MKI fighter fighters. The deliberate emphasis on gathering cookies and login passwords from web browsers highlights the threat actor's goal of obtaining accurate and private data from Indian Air Force personnel.
Using Caution: Preventing Possible Cyber Espionage
- Alertness Against Misleading Techniques: Current events highlight the necessity of being on the lookout for files that appear harmless but actually have dangerous intent. The Su-30 Acquisition ZIP file is a stark illustration of how these kinds of data might be included in larger-scale cyberespionage campaigns.
- Potentially Wider Impact: Cybercriminals frequently plan coordinated operations to target not just individuals but potentially many users and government officials. Compromised files increase the likelihood of a serious cyber-attack by opening the door for larger attack vectors.
- Important Position in National Security: Recognize the crucial role people play in the backdrop of national security in the age of digitalisation. Organised assaults carry the risk of jeopardising vital systems and compromising private data.
- Establish Strict Download Guidelines: Implement a strict rule requiring file downloads to only come from reputable and confirmed providers. Be sceptical, particularly when you come across unusual files, and make sure the sender is legitimate before downloading any attachments.
- Literacy among Government Employees: Acknowledge that government employees are prime targets as they have possession of private data. Enable people by providing them with extensive cybersecurity training and awareness that will increase their cognition and fortitude.
Conclusion
Indian Air Force cyber surveillance attack highlights how sophisticated online dangers have become in the digital era. Threat actors' deliberate and focused approach is demonstrated by the deceptive usage of a ZIP archive that is camouflaged and paired with a sophisticated instance of the Go Stealer virus. An additional level of complication is introduced by integrating Slack for covert communication. Increased awareness, strict installation guidelines, and thorough cybersecurity education for government employees are necessary to reduce these threats. In the digital age, protecting national security necessitates ongoing adaptation as well as safeguards toward ever-more potent and cunning cyber threats.
References
- https://www.overtoperator.com/p/indianairforcemalwaretargetpotential
- https://cyberunfolded.in/blog/indian-air-force-targeted-in-sophisticated-cyber-attack-with-su-30-procurement-zip-file#go-stealer-a-closer-look-at-its-malicious-history
- https://thecyberexpress.com/cyberattack-on-the-indian-air-force/https://therecord.media/indian-air-force-infostealing-malware
