The death of Mohammad Iqbal from Indian-administered Kashmir due to military conflict was exacerbated by media outlets falsely branding him a terrorist. Despite a police clarification, the family grapples with both loss and the impact of misinformation in the wake of tragedy.**
Media Misinformation Deepens Grief for Kashmiri Family After Shelling**
Media Misinformation Deepens Grief for Kashmiri Family After Shelling**
A family in Kashmir is mourning the wrongful labeling of their deceased relative as a terrorist following fatal cross-border shelling.**
In the wake of the cross-border shelling that resulted in the death of Mohammad Iqbal in Indian-administered Kashmir, his brother Farooq Ahmed expresses profound outrage and grief. Iqbal, who was a teacher at a local madrassa in Poonch, lost his life on May 7, merely a day after India began airstrikes in response to a militant attack that claimed 26 lives in Pahalgam. Although Pakistan has denied any involvement in the attack, the shelling claimed 16 lives, including Iqbal's, according to Indian sources.
The aftermath of Iqbal’s death brought about a wave of distress not just from personal loss, but also from the media’s depiction of him as a terrorist. "It felt like having salt rubbed into our wounds," Ahmed laments. He reflects on the irony that his brother, a respected teacher with no connections to violence, was branded a terrorist simply based on his appearance.
As tensions between the two nations continued to mount, a battle of misinformation unfolded across social media platforms and television. Farooq Ahmed recounts how shocking rumors, such as false claims about airstrikes destroying parts of Karachi, flourished alongside misleading reports about Iqbal's identity.
The media frenzy had a profound effect on the grieving family. They learned about the defamatory claims through a relative who received a WhatsApp message containing footage of a news channel falsely labeling Iqbal as a terrorist. Prominent channels like Zee News and News18 were among those that propagated the inaccurate narrative. In response to public outcry, the Poonch police issued a statement asserting Iqbal’s status as a revered community member.
Despite this clarification, Ahmed feels the damage has already been done. "By then, the false claim would have already reached millions of people in India," he stresses, highlighting the permanence of misinformation in the digital age. While one channel offered an apology, the family remains disheartened by the lack of accountability from others.
The loss of their family breadwinner leaves Iqbal’s two wives and eight children in dire financial straits. The government’s compensation is insufficient, and Ahmed is contemplating legal action against the media outlets responsible for the misinformation. "Who will convey my brother's true story to the world?" he questions, emphasizing the enduring pain of wrongful accusations and the need for empathy in the face of tragedy.
