Mohammad Iqbal, a teacher in Kashmiri Poonch, lost his life due to cross-border shelling, but his family faced additional grief as misleading reports branded him a terrorist. This incident highlights the troubling rise of misinformation during military conflicts, compounding the suffering of victims’ families.
Misinformation Fuels Tragedy: Indian Teacher Labeled a "Terrorist" Posthumously
Misinformation Fuels Tragedy: Indian Teacher Labeled a "Terrorist" Posthumously
The family of a respected teacher, killed in cross-border shelling, grapples with his mischaracterization amidst rising tensions in Kashmir.
Farooq Ahmed is still filled with rage as he recounts the tragic death of his brother, Mohammad Iqbal, a respected teacher in Poonch, Indian-administered Kashmir. Iqbal was killed on May 7 during cross-border shelling, the fallout from India's airstrikes in retaliation for a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam that left 26 people dead. While Pakistan has denied involvement, the loss of Iqbal marked the beginning of further turmoil for his family.
As news of Iqbal's death circulated, media outlets erroneously branded him a "terrorist," a claim vehemently contested by police. "My brother was a teacher, not a terrorist," Ahmed lamented. "Seeing his beard and skullcap, they couldn’t see past their biases." The devastation of Iqbal’s death was compounded by the disgrace his family faced from false accusations that his life was entangled with terrorism.
Indian officials reported that 16 people, including Iqbal, died in the shelling during this four-day conflict, but Pakistan claimed that almost 40 civilian lives were lost—leaving the exact toll unclear. Historically, India and Pakistan have held a fraught relationship over Kashmir, having fought three wars since their independence in 1947.
Amid the chaos of military conflict, a parallel battle emerged in the realm of social media—a disinformation spree featuring exaggerated claims and fabricated narratives. This included unfounded accusations against Iqbal, alongside other sensational mistruths spreading rapidly through various news platforms. Manisha Pande, editor at Newslaundry, remarked on the shocking intensity of misinformation, calling out the media's irresponsible sensationalism during such a critical moment.
Iqbal’s family has been grappling with the backlash for weeks. On the day of his death, he left home to teach, only to return lifeless hours later. In their anguish, relatives received a video circulating on WhatsApp, depicting a news channel falsely attributing terrorist labels to Iqbal with little to no evidence. The impact of this misinformation on their grief was devastating.
Despite the tragic development, the Poonch police had to publicly clarify that Iqbal was indeed a respected religious teacher, not linked to any terrorist activities. “Legal action will follow for false narratives,” they stated, yet for Ahmed, the damage was long done by then. Millions had already consumed the erroneous information.
The continued media allegations made it difficult for Iqbal’s family to navigate their loss; they were plunged into a fight against a public narrative that claimed Iqbal's death was a justified loss against terrorism. Ahmed stressed the overwhelming need for accountability from the media that had caused them such pain.
Iqbal, being the family’s sole provider, leaves behind two wives and eight children struggling in his absence. The government compensation may barely support them for a short duration. "My brother was gentle and loved teaching," Ahmed said sorrowfully. "Who's going to tell this side of the story to the world? Many still see him as a terrorist."
