Claim: An image shows protesters with flaming torches in Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Fact: The image is likely AI-generated.
On 28 September, an image showing people with flaming torches was shared online by users who linked it to the recent JAAC-organised protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Deadly Protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir
On 29 September, the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) commenced a lockdown across several districts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, locally known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), according to Al Jazeera. Separately, ABC News reported that thousands took to the streets of Muzaffarabad demanding an end to lucrative benefits for the political class, including free electricity and expensive cars.
According to news reports, the government had imposed a complete communications blackout in AJK since 28 September; internet and mobile phone services were blocked, and local media were warned by authorities against covering the daily demonstrations. The protests turned violent resulting in the deaths of six civilians and three police officers. More than 170 police personnel and 50 civilians were injured as per an official statement by the Azad Kashmir government.
On 2 October, the federal government dispatched a negotiating committee to hold talks with the JAAC, with the government and protesters reaching an agreement by 4 October. Under the agreement, Islamabad pledged new projects worth $35 million to upgrade electricity supplies and other public services, Arab News reported.
Fact or Fiction?
The viral image contains a diamond watermark at the bottom right corner, similar to Google Gemini’s logo. It indicated that the AI chatbot may have been used to create the photo. We also noticed several telltale signs of AI-generated visuals, such as smudged faces, missing body parts, the absence of shadows, along with unnatural objects and movements. For instance, some motorcyclists’ feet appear to touch the road, which is rather unrealistic if they’re supposed to be driving the vehicle. Similarly the child’s hand merges with the flames instead of showing him holding him a stick or a torch.
A closer look reveals the motorcyclists are not holding onto the handles or the torches; instead, the fire seems to be emerging directly from their hands or their vehicles. Mostly, the flames are scattered across the image without being connected to any torches or sticks.
Soch Fact Check then analysed the image using MyDetector.AI, which identifies and flags AI-generated content. It flagged the image as 99.99% AI-generated.
We then tested the visual using Undetectable.ai, which assesses image features such as colour patterns, textures, and shapes to determine its authenticity. It rated the image’s probability of being 1% real, cautioning that it is likely created by AI.
Lastly, we analysed the image using DeepFake-O-Meter. From the available detectors, we used AIDE (AI-generated Image DEtector with Hybrid Features), which leverages multiple experts to simultaneously extract visual artifacts and noise patterns. The detector tests if an image is diffusion model synthesized or not. It determines whether diffusion models like DALL·E, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, etc, were used to create the image or it is a real, natural image. According to DeepFake-O-Meter, the probability of the viral image being AI-generated was 20.64%.
The variation between detectors highlights the limitations of current AI-detection tools and the need for human verification.
Virality
The viral image was shared here, here, here, and here. Archived here, here, here, and here.
On X, it was shared here, here, here, and here. Archived here, here, here, and here.
On Instagram, it was shared here (archive), here (archive), and here (archive).
Conclusion: The viral image is likely AI-generated.
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Background image in cover photo: Sajjad Qayyum/AFP
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