#FactCheck: False Social Media Claim on six Army Personnel were killed in retaliatory attack by ULFA in Myanmar
Research Wing
Innovation and Research
PUBLISHED ON
Jul 25, 2025
10
Executive Summary:
A widely circulated claim on social media indicates that six soldiers of the Assam Rifles were killed during a retaliatory attack carried out by a Myanmar-based breakaway faction of the United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent), or ULFA (I). The post included a photograph of coffins covered in Indian flags with reference to soldiers who were part of the incident where ULFA (I) killed six soldiers. The post was widely shared, however, the fact-check confirms that the photograph is old, not related, and there are no trustworthy reports to indicate that any such incident took place. This claim is therefore false and misleading.
Claim:
Social media users claimed that the banned militant outfit ULFA (I) killed six Assam Rifles personnel in retaliation for an alleged drone and missile strike by Indian forces on their camp in Myanmar with captions on it “Six Indian Army Assam Rifles soldiers have reportedly been killed in a retaliatory attack by the Myanmar-based ULFA group.”. The claim was accompanied by a viral post showing coffins of Indian soldiers, which added emotional weight and perceived authenticity to the narrative.
Fact Check:
We began our research with a reverse image search of the image of coffins in Indian flags, which we saw was shared with the viral claim. We found the image can be traced to August 2013. We found the traces in The Washington Post, which confirms the fact that the viral snap is from the Past incident where five Indian Army soldiers were killed by Pakistani intruders in Poonch, Jammu, and Kashmir, on August 6, 2013.
Also, The Hindu and India Today offered no confirmation of the death of six Assam Rifles personnel. However, ULFA (I) did issue a statement dated July 13, 2025, claiming that three of its leaders had been killed in a drone strike by Indian forces.
However, by using Shutterstock, it depicts that the coffin's image is old and not representative of any current actions by the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).
The Indian Army denied it, with Defence PRO Lt Col Mahendra Rawat telling reporters there were "no inputs" of such an operation. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also rejected that there was cross-border military action whatsoever. Therefore, the viral claim is false and misleading.
Conclusion:
The assertion that ULFA (I) killed six soldiers from the 6th Assam Rifles in a retaliation strike is incorrect. The viral image used in these posts is from 2013 in Jammu & Kashmir and has no relevance to the present. There have been no verified reports of any such killings, and both the Indian Army and the Assam government have categorically denied having conducted or knowing of any cross-border operation. This faulty narrative is circulating, and it looks like it is only inciting fear and misinformation therefore, please ignore it.
Claim: Report confirms the death of six Assam Rifles personnel in an ULFA-led attack.
A video circulating on social media shows Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan walking with a group of people. Users are claiming that the two leaders were participating in a protest against the University Grants Commission (UGC). Research by CyberPeace has found the viral claim to be misleading. Our research revealed that the video is from September 2025 and is being shared out of context with recent events. The video was recorded when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath undertook a foot march in Gorakhpur on a Monday. Ravi Kishan, MP from Gorakhpur, was also present. During the march, the Chief Minister visited local markets, malls, and shops, interacting with traders and gathering information on the implementation of GST rate cuts.
Claim Details:
On Instagram, a user shared the viral video on 27 January 2026. The video shows the Chief Minister and the MP walking with a group of people. The text “UGC protest” appears on the video, suggesting that it is connected to a protest against the University Grants Commission.
To verify the claim, we searched Google using relevant keywords, but found no credible media reports confirming it.Next, we extracted key frames from the video and searched them using Google Lens. The video was traced to NBT Uttar Pradesh’s X (formerly Twitter) account, posted on 22 September 2025.
According to NBT Uttar Pradesh, CM Yogi Adityanath undertook a foot march in Gorakhpur, visiting malls and shops to interact with traders and check the implementation of GST rate cuts.
Conclusion:
The viral video is not related to any recent UGC guidelines. It dates back to September 2025, showing CM Yogi Adityanath and MP Ravi Kishan on a foot march in Gorakhpur, interacting with traders about GST rate cuts.The claim that the video depicts a protest against the University Grants Commission is therefore false and misleading.
The film ‘Yadav Ji Ki Love Story’, scheduled to release on February 27, has become embroiled in controversy over its title. Several organizations have expressed objections, registering their displeasure regarding the name of the film. Amid the row, a video is being widely circulated on social media. The footage shows a large crowd holding banners and posters while staging a protest. Users sharing the clip claim that it is from South India, where members of the Yadav community have allegedly launched a large-scale agitation against the film. However, research conducted by the CyberPeace found the viral claim to be false. Our research revealed that the video is not authentic but AI-generated, and is being shared with a misleading narrative.
Claim
On February 22, 2026, a Facebook user shared the viral video claiming it depicts protests by the Yadav community in South India against the film. The original and archived links to the post are provided below
Upon closely examining the viral video, we noticed several anomalies in the visuals, crowd movements, and certain frames. The unnatural patterns and inconsistencies raised suspicions that the footage may have been generated using artificial intelligence. To verify this, we analyzed the video using the AI detection tool Aurigin AI, which indicated that the footage was AI-generated.
We further scanned the clip using another AI detection platform, Hive Moderation. The results showed a 99 percent probability that the video was AI-generated.
Conclusion
Our findings confirm that the viral video is not real. It has been artificially created using AI technology and is being circulated with a false and misleading claim.
This report is the collaborative outcome of insights derived from the CyberPeace Helpline’s operational statistics and the CyberPeace Research Team, covering the monthly helpline case trends of May 2025, the report identifies recurring trends, operational challenges, and strategic opportunities. The objective is to foster research-driven solutions that enhance the overall efficacy of the helpline.
Executive Summary:
This report summarizes the cybercrime cases reported in May, offering insights into case types, gender distribution, resolution status, and geographic trends.
As per our analysis, out of various Cyber Frauds Financial Fraud was the most reported issue, making up 43% of cases, followed by Cyberbullying (26%) and Impersonation (14%). Less frequent but serious issues included Sexual Harassment, Sextortion, Hacking, Data Tampering, and Cyber Defamation, each accounting for 3–6%, highlighting a mix of financial and behavioral threats.The gender distribution was fairly balanced, with 51% male and 49% female respondents. While both genders were affected by major crimes like financial fraud and cyber bullying, some categories—such as sexual harassment—reflected more gender-specific risks, indicating the need for gender-responsive policies and support.
Regarding case status, 60% remain under follow-up while 40% have been resolved, reflecting strong case-handling efforts by the team.
The location-wise data shows higher case concentrations in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal, with significant reports also from Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Odisha. Reports from the northeastern and eastern states confirm the nationwide spread of cyber incidents.In conclusion, the findings point to a growing need for enhanced cybersecurity awareness, preventive strategies, and robust digital safeguards to address the evolving cyber threat landscape across India.
Cases Received in May:
As per the given dataset, the following types of cases were reported to our team during the month of May:
💰 Financial Fraud – 43%
💬 Cyber Bullying – 26%
🕵️♂️ Impersonation – 14%
🚫 Sexual Harassment – 6%
📸 Sextortion – 3%
💻 Hacking – 3%
📝 Data Tampering – 3%
🗣️ Cyber Defamation – 3%
The chart illustrates various cybercrime categories and their occurrence rates. Financial Fraud emerges as the most common, accounting for 43% of cases, highlighting the critical need for stronger digital financial security. This is followed by Cyber Bullying at 26%, reflecting growing concerns around online harassment, especially among youth. Impersonation ranks third with 14%, involving identity misuse for deceitful purposes. Less frequent but still serious crimes such as Sexual Harassment (6%), Sextortion, Hacking, Data Tampering, and Cyber Defamation (each 3%) also pose significant risks to users’ privacy and safety. Overall, the data underscores the need for improved cybersecurity awareness, legal safeguards, and preventive measures to address both financial and behavioral threats in the digital space.
Gender-Wise Distribution:
👨 Male – 51%
👩 Female – 49%
The chart illustrates the distribution of respondents by gender. The data shows that Male participants make up 51% of the total, while Female participants account for 49%. This indicates a fairly balanced representation of both genders, with a slight majority of male respondents.
Gender-Wise Case Distribution:
The chart presents a gender-wise distribution of various cybercrime cases, offering a comparative view of how different types of cyber incidents affect males and females.
It highlights that both genders are significantly impacted by cybercrimes such as financial fraud and cyber bullying, indicating a widespread risk across the board.
Certain categories, including sexual harassment, cyber defamation, and hacking, show more gender-specific patterns of victimization, pointing to differing vulnerabilities.
The data suggests the need for gender-sensitive policies and preventive measures to effectively address the unique risks faced by males and females in the digital space.
These insights can inform the design of tailored awareness programs, support services, and intervention strategies aimed at improving cybersecurity for all individuals.
Major Location Wise Distribution:
The map visualization displays location-wise distribution of reported cases across India. The cases reflect the cyber-related incidents or cases mapped geographically.
The map highlights the regional distribution of cybercrime cases across Indian states, with a higher concentration in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and West Bengal. States like Delhi, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Odisha also show notable activity, indicating widespread cyber threats. Regions including Assam, Tripura, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Jammu & Kashmir further reflect the pan-India spread of such incidents. This distribution stresses the need for targeted cybersecurity awareness and stronger digital safeguards nationwide
CyberPeace Advisory:
Use Strong and Unique Passwords: Create complex passwords using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid reusing the same password across multiple platforms.
Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add an extra layer of security by using a second verification step like an OTP or authentication app.
Keep Software Updated: Regularly update your operating system, apps, and security tools to protect against known vulnerabilities.
Install Trusted Security Software: Use reliable antivirus and anti-malware programs to detect and block threats.
Limit Information Sharing: Be cautious about sharing personal or sensitive details, especially on social media or public platforms.
Secure Your Network: Protect your Wi-Fi with a strong password and encryption. Avoid accessing confidential information on public networks.
Back Up Important Data: Regularly save copies of important files in secure storage to prevent data loss in case of an attack.
Stay Informed with Cybersecurity Training: Learn how to identify scams, phishing attempts, and other online threats through regular awareness sessions.
Control Access to Data: Give access to sensitive information only to those who need it, based on their job roles.
Monitor and Respond to Threats: Continuously monitor systems for unusual activity and have a clear response plan for handling security incidents.
CyberPeace Helpline mail ID: helpline@cyberpeace.net
The cybercrime cases reported in May highlight a diverse and evolving threat landscape across India. Financial fraud, cyber bullying, and impersonation are the most prevalent, affecting both genders almost equally, though some crimes like sexual harassment call for targeted gender-sensitive measures. With 60% of cases still under follow-up, the team’s efforts in investigation and resolution remain strong. Geographically, cyber incidents are widespread, with higher concentrations in several key states, demonstrating that no region is immune. These findings underscore the urgent need to enhance cybersecurity awareness, strengthen preventive strategies, and build robust digital safeguards. Proactive and inclusive approaches are essential to protect individuals and communities and to address the growing challenges posed by cybercrime nationwide.
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