Tragedy in Kashmir: Teacher Killed, Then Falsely Labeled a "Terrorist"

The death of Mohammad Iqbal, a teacher in Poonch, Kashmir, during cross-border shelling has been compounded by false accusations labeling him a terrorist. His brother, Farooq Ahmed, expresses anguish over the media's portrayal and the challenges their family now faces following this tragedy.

In a recent escalation of violence along the India-Pakistan border, Mohammad Iqbal—a well-respected teacher from Poonch, Kashmir—was killed amidst cross-border shelling on May 7. His death occurred shortly after India conducted retaliatory air strikes in Pakistan in response to a militant attack that resulted in 26 fatalities. Following the tragic event, misinformation about Iqbal's identity quickly spread across various media channels, with some falsely branding him as a terrorist.

Farooq Ahmed, Iqbal's brother, emotionally recounts the painful aftermath of his sibling's death. "My brother was a teacher, yet they saw his beard and skullcap and labeled him a terrorist," Ahmed states. He emphasized the profound hurt this misinformation has caused, adding, “The dead can’t defend themselves.” The immediate impact of Iqbal’s death was overshadowed by the misleading media narratives which painted him as part of a terrorist outfit.

According to Indian officials, a total of 16 individuals lost their lives during the four-day military conflict, while Pakistan claims the casualty figures to be significantly higher. Both nations have been historically embroiled in conflict over the Kashmir region since their independence from British rule in 1947.

Ahmed describes the pervasive disinformation that has inundated social media, transforming Iqbal's narrative into a sensationalized falsehood. Claims about serious military actions—including an alleged attack on Karachi port—eventually proved baseless, contributing to an atmosphere rife with confusion. Manisha Pande, managing editor at Newslaundry, pointed out that while media sensationalism is common, the scale of this particular conflict's misinformation was unprecedented.

Following hours of performing last rites for Iqbal, the family discovered the troubling narratives surrounding his death through a WhatsApp message, indicating he was labeled a terrorist by major news outlets like Zee News and ABP. The Poonch police publicly refuted these claims the following day, clarifying that Iqbal, affectionately known as Maulana, was indeed a reputable scholar without any ties to terrorism. However, for Ahmed, this late clarification was of little solace, as the damage had already been done.

Hurt by the media coverage, Ahmed envisions seeking legal action against those who perpetuated falsehoods about his brother. With the family now struggling financially, as Iqbal was their sole provider, the grief is compounded by uncertainties over their future. "The entire family relied on my brother. We need to tell the world what truly happened," Ahmed asserts, lamenting that for many, Iqbal's reputation may forever be stained by unfounded accusations.

The world watches as the situation in Kashmir remains critical, while families like Iqbal’s are left to navigate the fallout of both conflict and misinformation.