#FactCheck: AI-Generated Footage Fuels False Claim of Strike on Al Udeid Air Base
Executive Summary
The ongoing conflict between the US-Israel and Iran has entered its third week. During this period, Iran reportedly targeted the US military base at Al Udeid in Qatar. Amid this, a video is going viral on social media showing people, vehicles, and chaos following an alleged attack. Some users are sharing it as footage of an Iranian missile strike on the Al Udeid Air Base. However, an research by the CyberPeacefound that the viral video is not real but AI-generated.
Claim:
An Instagram user “thenewscartel” shared the video on March 17, 2026, with the caption: “Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar (March 16, 2026): Iran launched ballistic missiles and drones at the US military’s largest Middle East base near Doha as retaliation for US-Israel strikes in Tehran. Qatar’s Defense Ministry confirmed multiple launches. Most were intercepted by Qatari air defense. One missile landed near the base or in an uninhabited area. No casualties or major damage reported. Explosions were heard in Doha, and smoke was seen in the sky.”
Fact Check:
To verify the claim, we closely examined the viral video. We observed multiple visual inconsistencies—one person appears to be walking in reverse, another disappears and reappears, and the body shapes of people distort as they begin to run. These anomalies strongly indicate AI manipulation. We then analyzed the video using the AI detection tool Zhuque AI, which indicated an approximately 80 percent likelihood that the video is AI-generated.
Further analysis using Hive Moderation showed around a 57 percent probability of the video being AI-generated.
Conclusion:
Our research found that the viral video being shared as footage of an Iranian attack on the US military base at Al Udeid in Qatar is AI-generated and not related to any real incident.
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Introduction
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology released draft plans for advancing indigenous research and development in cyber forensics, quantum computing technologies, mobile security, cryptography, and Internet of Things (IoT) security. These roadmaps, crafted by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing, outline strategic approaches to address various challenges over different timeframes leading up to 2047, marking the centenary of Indian independence. These roadmaps provide valuable insights into the nation's commitment to achieving technical autonomy and bolstering resilience in critical areas of cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
Cybersecurity Roadmap
The cybersecurity strategy serves as a lighthouse for strengthening India's digital defenses. With an eye on the immediate future, the plan seeks to create "Social Media Analytics" by 2026, reflecting the rising relevance of extracting insights from the immense ocean of social media data. Furthermore, the emphasis on "Dark Web Forensics" by 2030 demonstrates an understanding of the shifting danger scenario. Ongoing attempts to detect child abuse and human trafficking reflect a dedication to using technology to address social concerns. The timescale beyond 2047 underscores the lasting nature of these difficulties and the necessity for ongoing innovation. Furthermore, the roadmap highlights plans for GPS and car forensics by 2027 and 2029, respectively, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to cybersecurity that spans numerous technologies.
India's quantum computing strategy outlines considerable research and development plans till 2034. Quantum computing represents the boundary of processing power, and India intends to make major progress in this area. The extended time scale reflects the inherent complexity and limitations of applying quantum physics to practical applications.
The Mobile Security Roadmap prioritises "enterprise-grade" security measures to protect critical business and government data. Furthermore, the plan emphasises the importance of an "indigenous system for secure [operating systems] and mobile device hardware," allowing India to lessen its reliance on foreign technology in the mobile ecosystem.
Cryptography Roadmap
Cryptography is the foundation of secure digital communication, and India's strategy for this sector outlines specific and time-bound objectives. The focus on 'asymmetric cryptography' and safeguarding IoT devices by 2028-33 is consistent with worldwide initiatives to improve digital security. The emphasis on "quantum-resistant cryptography," which indicates a forward-thinking approach to encryption technologies that may endure the arrival of quantum computing, which poses a possible danger to current cryptographic systems, is particularly noteworthy.
Challenges and opportunities
While these roadmaps set a visionary route for India's technologically advanced future, such ambitious undertakings bring both problems and possibilities. The intricacy of quantum computing, as well as the ever-changing nature of cyber threats, needs ongoing adaptation and engagement with the international academic community. Furthermore, establishing self-sufficiency in vital technologies necessitates significant research, development, and talent acquisition investments.
Collaboration and Global Perspectives
In an interconnected society, the success of these roadmaps is dependent on collaboration with the global community. The sharing of information, best practices, and joint research efforts can help India advance and strengthen its capacities in these transformational technologies. Building strong international collaborations would not only boost India's position but also help to progress science and technology throughout the world.
Conclusion
India's proposed roadmaps for cybersecurity, quantum computing, mobile security, encryption, and IoT security offer a strategic and forward-thinking outlook on the country's technological future. These roadmaps, which continue well beyond 2047, the centennial of Indian independence, demonstrate India's commitment to long-term resilience and innovation in the face of growing digital problems. The effective implementation of these roadmaps would safeguard India's digital environment and position the country as a worldwide leader in cutting-edge technology, helping to improve society and expand human understanding.
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Introduction
In the era of digitalisation, social media has become an essential part of our lives, with people spending a lot of time updating every moment of their lives on these platforms. Social media networks such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and YouTube have emerged as significant sources of Information. However, the proliferation of misinformation is alarming since misinformation can have grave consequences for individuals, organisations, and society as a whole. Misinformation can spread rapidly via social media, leaving a higher impact on larger audiences. Bad actors can exploit algorithms for their benefit or some other agenda, using tactics such as clickbait headlines, emotionally charged language, and manipulated algorithms to increase false information.
Impact
The impact of misinformation on our lives is devastating, affecting individuals, communities, and society as a whole. False or misleading health information can have serious consequences, such as believing in unproven remedies or misinformation about some vaccines can cause serious illness, disability, or even death. Any misinformation related to any financial scheme or investment can lead to false or poor financial decisions that could lead to bankruptcy and loss of long-term savings.
In a democratic nation, misinformation plays a vital role in forming a political opinion, and the misinformation spread on social media during elections can affect voter behaviour, damage trust, and may cause political instability.
Mitigating strategies
The best way to minimise or stop the spreading of misinformation requires a multi-faceted approach. These strategies include promoting media literacy with critical thinking, verifying information before sharing, holding social media platforms accountable, regulating misinformation, supporting critical research, and fostering healthy means of communication to build a resilient society.
To put an end to the cycle of misinformation and move towards a better future, we must create plans to combat the spread of false information. This will require coordinated actions from individuals, communities, tech companies, and institutions to promote a culture of information accuracy and responsible behaviour.
The widespread spread of false information on social media platforms presents serious problems for people, groups, and society as a whole. It becomes clear that battling false information necessitates a thorough and multifaceted strategy as we go deeper into comprehending the nuances of this problem.
Encouraging consumers to develop media literacy and critical thinking abilities is essential to preventing the spread of false information. Being educated is essential for equipping people to distinguish between reliable sources and false information. Giving individuals the skills to assess information critically will enable them to choose the content they share and consume with knowledge. Public awareness campaigns should be used to promote and include initiatives that aim to improve media literacy in school curriculum.
Ways to Stop Misinformation
As we have seen, misinformation can cause serious implications; the best way to minimise or stop the spreading of misinformation requires a multifaceted approach; here are some strategies to combat misinformation.
- Promote Media Literacy with Critical Thinking: Educate individuals about how to critically evaluate information, fact check, and recognise common tactics used to spread misinformation, the users must use their critical thinking before forming any opinion or perspective and sharing the content.
- Verify Information: we must encourage people to verify the information before sharing, especially if it seems sensational or controversial, and encourage the consumption of news or any information from a reputable source of news that follows ethical journalistic standards.
- Accountability: Advocate for social media networks' openness and responsibility in the fight against misinformation. Encourage platforms to put in place procedures to detect and delete fraudulent content while boosting credible sources.
- Regulate Misinformation: Looking at the current situation, it is important to advocate for policies and regulations that address the spread of misinformation while safeguarding freedom of expression. Transparency in online communication by identifying the source of information and disclosing any conflict of interest.
- Support Critical Research: Invest in research and study on the sources, impacts, and remedies to misinformation. Support collaborative initiatives by social scientists, psychologists, journalists, and technology to create evidence-based techniques for countering misinformation.
Conclusion
To prevent the cycle of misinformation and move towards responsible use of the Internet, we must create strategies to combat the spread of false information. This will require coordinated actions from individuals, communities, tech companies, and institutions to promote a culture of information accuracy and responsible behaviour.
Executive Summary:
A video showing a convoy of soldiers travelling on motorcycles is being widely shared on social media with the claim that the personnel were heading towards Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to support the ongoing protest led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP). CyberPeace Research Wing’s research found the claim to be false. The viral video is not related to the CJP protest at Jantar Mantar. The footage predates the ongoing demonstration and is being circulated with a misleading claim.
Claim:
A social media user shared the viral video claiming that soldiers were travelling towards Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to support the youth participating in the CJP protest over issues related to the country’s education system. The post claimed that the soldiers were joining the protest to raise their voice on issues concerning the nation, youth, and their future.
https://x.com/RoflGandhee/status/2079986496556204066?s=20
A reverse image search using Google Lens led the Desk to a video uploaded on a YouTube channel named Commando Journey. Upon comparison, the Desk found that the YouTube video contained the same visuals as the viral video under research. Further verification of the video details revealed that the footage predates the ongoing Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest at Jantar Mantar. The protest, which began in June 2026, has been demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged irregularities in examinations. The video was uploaded on the YouTube channel in February 2026, several months before the CJP protest began, confirming that it has been falsely linked to the recent demonstration.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/cMvai580gdo
As part of the next phase of the research, the Desk reviewed several other videos uploaded on the same YouTube channel. During the analysis, the Desk identified multiple videos featuring visuals matching those seen in the viral clip. However, these videos were also uploaded before the CJP protest in Delhi, with one of the videos dating back to October 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/7eDc9TqOpzM
Conclusion
While the Desk could not independently verify the exact origin and context of the video, the research established that the footage predates the CJP protest and has been falsely linked to the demonstration. Based on the findings, the Desk concluded that the video shared on social media does not show soldiers travelling to Delhi’s Jantar Mantar to support the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protest. The footage is unrelated to the ongoing protest and has been circulated with a misleading claim.
