Over the past few days, many Pakistani propaganda social media handles have been spreading a sensational rumor: that Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Rahul R. Singh purportedly confessed that "Pakistan's electronic warfare and C4 intelligence capability really surprised us, and the Chinese technology was instrumental in winning against India." Screenshots and manipulated pictures have been shared in abundance to this effect, apparently to create confusion and dash faith in the Indian military.
Who made the claim?
The claim had been made by accounts notorious for spreading disinformation, such as The Daily CPEC and other handles with a history of sharing unverified or incorrect information regarding India's defense forces. These handles had shared the alleged quote as a breaking news revelation, backing it up further with photoshopped pictures of Lt. Gen. Rahul R. Singh at a public gathering.
What are the actual facts?
Rahul R. Singh said the Indian Armed Forces conducted extensive intelligence gathering while the final selection of targets remained fluid until the final hour.
"War is easy to initiate, but it's very difficult to control," India's Deputy Chief of Army Staff Rahul R. Singh said on Friday, July 5, 2025, as he described Operation Sindoor as a carefully orchestrated military action. The operation showed India's resolve to stay ahead on the escalation ladder while preventing a full-scale war with Pakistan, he said.
Speaking at a FICCI event on new military technologies, he said 21 targets were identified during extensive intelligence gathering, but the final decision to strike nine of them was made only in the last hours before the operation. The mission combined Army, Air Force, and Navy assets to demonstrate India’s integrated capabilities. Lt Gen Singh called the operation a “masterly stroke” to end hostilities at the right moment and stressed that while war can be easy to start, it is very hard to control. He also underscored the need to prepare for fifth-generation warfare, warning that future battles may be waged by remote operators using advanced technology.
While the claim that Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Rahul R. Singh purportedly confessed that “Pakistan's electronic warfare and C4 intelligence capability really surprised us, and the Chinese technology was instrumental in winning against India” was nowhere mentioned in the entire discourse.
India's government fact-checking arm, PIB Fact Check, has firmly refuted these viral reports. In a concise and authoritative update on their verified social media handle, PIB Fact Check declared:
- These are Fake!
- There is no such statement made by the Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Rahul R. Singh.
A comparison photo posted by PIB Fact Check reveals the doctored post marked "FAKE" and a photo from the actual event, ensuring that no such words were uttered.
How do we know the claim is false?
1. Official denial
PIB Fact Check, the official fact-checking body for the Government of India, has officially refuted the claim. Their explanations are certified as authentic by national and global media.
2. Military protocol
Senior Indian military command does not make sensitive statements regarding the capabilities of operations or foreign powers in public domains. Such a statement would have been made through official press releases, not through unverified social media.
4. Disinformation pattern
This episode is part of a common pattern where propaganda handlers seek to perpetuate misinformation on Indian defense issues by resorting to manipulated pictures and spurious quotes.
The bottom line
The viral quote from Lt. Gen. Rahul R. Singh is pure fiction, intended to deceive and sow uncertainty. The sole reliable source for this information—PIB Fact Check—has spoken: no such quote was ever uttered. Do not circulate unsubstantiated sensational news without double-checking with genuine, official sources.
Stay informed. Stay alert. Believe credible news and only official fact-checking websites.