This article explores the distressing case of Mohammad Iqbal, a Kashmiri teacher wrongfully labeled as a terrorist by media outlets after his death in cross-border shelling, and the impact of misinformation on his family.
Media Misidentification Amplifies Tragedy for Kashmiri Family
Media Misidentification Amplifies Tragedy for Kashmiri Family
In the midst of a military conflict, a family's grief is compounded by false media representations of their deceased loved one.
Farooq Ahmed's voice trembles with anger as he recounts the fatal day his brother, Mohammad Iqbal, a teacher in Poonch, Indian-administered Kashmir, lost his life due to cross-border shelling on May 7th. This incident unfolded soon after India retaliated against Pakistan with air strikes, following a militant attack in Pahalgam that resulted in 26 fatalities. While Pakistan has denied involvement in the assault, the aftermath of Iqbal's death unleashed a new wave of suffering for his family.
As news spread, several media outlets falsely characterized Iqbal as a terrorist, instigating a backlash that left his brother Farooq in disbelief. “My brother was a teacher; they saw his beard and skullcap and branded him a terrorist,” lamented Farooq. “It felt like salt rubbed into our wounds.” Indian authorities confirmed that 16 people, including Iqbal, perished in the shelling amid escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, which have a long-standing conflict over the Kashmir region. Reports from Pakistan indicate as many as 40 civilian casualties, though it remains unclear how many were directly linked to shelling.
As violence erupted, a parallel disinformation war ensued online, with inaccurate claims circulating widely. Allegations ranged from unverified accusations against Iqbal to outrageous assertions such as the destruction of Pakistan's Karachi port, later proven false. Manisha Pande, managing editor at news platform Newslaundry, condemned the media's sensationalized reporting as unprecedented and irresponsible. “The scale of misinformation being broadcast was shocking,” she commented.
The family remained unaware of the false narratives surrounding Iqbal during the mourning period. It was only hours after Iqbal’s burial when relatives began receiving disturbing reports of his supposed terrorist involvement through social media channels. Prominent outlets like Zee News, ABP, and News18 were among those perpetuating these claims, asserting that he was killed in an "Indian strike on a terrorist camp."
Poonch police quickly issued a statement refuting these claims, emphasizing that Iqbal was a respected community figure with no ties to terrorism. However, for Farooq Ahmed, the damage was already done. “The false claim reached millions by then,” he reflects, expressing frustration that only one channel publicly apologized for their error.
With the family's future now uncertain, as Iqbal was the sole breadwinner, they face immense challenges ahead. Despite receiving some government compensation, Farooq fears that it won't last long. “Who's going to tell this to the world? For many, my brother is still seen as a terrorist. How will they understand our pain?” he concluded, highlighting the deep scars left by both the conflict and the media's failure to accurately portray their loss.
As news spread, several media outlets falsely characterized Iqbal as a terrorist, instigating a backlash that left his brother Farooq in disbelief. “My brother was a teacher; they saw his beard and skullcap and branded him a terrorist,” lamented Farooq. “It felt like salt rubbed into our wounds.” Indian authorities confirmed that 16 people, including Iqbal, perished in the shelling amid escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, which have a long-standing conflict over the Kashmir region. Reports from Pakistan indicate as many as 40 civilian casualties, though it remains unclear how many were directly linked to shelling.
As violence erupted, a parallel disinformation war ensued online, with inaccurate claims circulating widely. Allegations ranged from unverified accusations against Iqbal to outrageous assertions such as the destruction of Pakistan's Karachi port, later proven false. Manisha Pande, managing editor at news platform Newslaundry, condemned the media's sensationalized reporting as unprecedented and irresponsible. “The scale of misinformation being broadcast was shocking,” she commented.
The family remained unaware of the false narratives surrounding Iqbal during the mourning period. It was only hours after Iqbal’s burial when relatives began receiving disturbing reports of his supposed terrorist involvement through social media channels. Prominent outlets like Zee News, ABP, and News18 were among those perpetuating these claims, asserting that he was killed in an "Indian strike on a terrorist camp."
Poonch police quickly issued a statement refuting these claims, emphasizing that Iqbal was a respected community figure with no ties to terrorism. However, for Farooq Ahmed, the damage was already done. “The false claim reached millions by then,” he reflects, expressing frustration that only one channel publicly apologized for their error.
With the family's future now uncertain, as Iqbal was the sole breadwinner, they face immense challenges ahead. Despite receiving some government compensation, Farooq fears that it won't last long. “Who's going to tell this to the world? For many, my brother is still seen as a terrorist. How will they understand our pain?” he concluded, highlighting the deep scars left by both the conflict and the media's failure to accurately portray their loss.
