New Delhi: The Army on Friday took strong exception to a video circulating on social media that shows some men in military uniform as part of a press conference, and said three of those individuals were dismissed from service on grounds of "indiscipline and unsoldierly conduct".
In a statement issued on its X handle, the Army said the press conference video is being circulated across media and social media platforms with an "attempt to malign" its image.
Referring to the persons seen in the video, other than two political leaders, the Army said the "fourth individual" is a "deserter" and disciplinary proceedings are underway against him in both military and civil courts.
The press conference was held at the Press Club of India here on Thursday, in which two opposition Rajya Sabha MPs - Manoj Jha and Sanjay Singh - interacted with reporters.
The purported visuals of the presser circulating on social media have stirred a row and drawn a sharp reaction from the Army.
In the post, the Army cautioned netizens against falling for any rumours, using the hashtags "#FakeAlert #Beware".
A photo used in the Army's post shows two men in uniform sitting alongside Jha and Singh. The image carries two digital stamps on it with the words "false" and "misleading".
The Army did not name any political leader in the post.
"A press conference video is being circulated across media and social media platforms with an attempt to malign the image of the Indian Army," the force said.
"It is reiterated that the individuals seen in the video, namely Chandu Chavan, Harendra Yadav and P Narender, were dismissed from service on grounds of indiscipline and unsoldierly conduct," the Army said.
It added that the fourth individual, Shankar Singh Gujjar, is a "deserter and disciplinary proceedings are underway against him in both military and civil courts".
"These individuals are deliberately spreading fake, malicious and misleading narratives on social media to divert attention from their own misconduct and dismissal from service.
"Citizens are advised not to fall prey to such propaganda and to remain vigilant against misinformation," the Army said.
