Viral India-Pakistan 'Combat' Videos Exposed As Footage From THESE Games: Know The Truth
The Indian government's Press Information Bureau (PIB) has issued a stern warning after several high-octane video clips — actually from military video games — were falsely presented online as real footage of combat between India and Pakistan. The misleading visuals, as reported by Mint, has been taken from Arma 3 and Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) World and it gained traction on social media amid heightened tensions between the two nations.
"Please don't fall prey to such propaganda posts,” PIB cautioned, urging citizens to verify content before sharing or believing it. The bureau also released side-by-side comparisons to expose the misleading nature of the posts circulating widely.
Game Footage Fuels Misinformation Frenzy
Among the viral clips was a video from Arma 3, a realistic military simulation game developed by Czech studio Bohemia Interactive. The footage — showing explosions, fighter jets, and battlefield chaos — was falsely labelled as recent action along the Line of Control.
PIB clarified that none of the circulated videos depict actual military operations. Instead, the dramatic visuals were lifted from Arma 3 (above) and DCS World (below), another combat flight simulation game by Eagle Dynamics.
The spread of such content has sparked concerns over how gaming visuals, particularly those mimicking real-world combat scenarios with cinematic precision, can be weaponised as propaganda during geopolitical flashpoints.
Ceasefire Amid the Chaos
Interestingly, the circulation of these misleading clips came just as India and Pakistan announced a full and immediate ceasefire agreement. After a tense standoff, both sides reached an understanding following US-mediated talks. The ceasefire officially came into effect at 5 PM on May 10.
While the truce offers a momentary pause in real-world hostilities, the online battle of misinformation continues to rage.
Why Arma 3 and DCS World Look So Real
Both Arma 3 and Digital Combat Simulator World are known for their hyper-realistic approach to warfare simulation.
Arma 3 allows players to experience military operations in painstaking detail — from ground-based combat to vehicle warfare — rendered with lifelike physics and graphics.
Meanwhile, DCS World focuses on aerial combat and features a wide range of aircraft from World War II to the present, enabling players to simulate everything from dogfights to strategic bombing missions.
Their visual fidelity is so high that, without proper context, even seasoned viewers might mistake gameplay for actual footage — something that malicious actors online have now exploited.
PIB’s warning serves as a reminder of how digital misinformation can blur the line between fiction and reality, especially in conflict zones. As tensions cool on the ground, the war against fake news remains as critical as ever.
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