Misinformation Deepens Grief for Kashmiri Family After Tragic Loss

The tragic death of Mohammad Iqbal, a respected teacher in Poonch, Kashmir, was compounded by media claims labeling him a terrorist. This has left his family, already devastated by loss, grappling with false accusations that have circulated widely, igniting outrage and a call for accountability.

Farooq Ahmed’s world shattered on May 7 when he learned that his brother, Mohammad Iqbal, had died amidst cross-border shelling in Indian-administered Kashmir. The incident occurred shortly after India executed airstrikes against Pakistan in response to a bloody militant attack in Pahalgam. Iqbal was well-known in his community as a teacher at Zia-ul-Uloom madrassa, yet following his death, he was shockingly branded as a terrorist by several media outlets.

With visible anger, Mr. Ahmed recounted how his brother’s identity was twisted due to the biases of media reporting. "My brother was labeled a terrorist merely because of his appearance," he said, referring to Iqbal’s beard and skullcap. This unfounded allegation only intensified the family's sorrow during an already unbearable time. "It felt like they were adding salt to our wounds," he lamented, highlighting their frustration at being unable to defend his brother’s name.

The cross-border clash claimed 16 lives, including Iqbal's, while Pakistan reported a higher civilian death toll, leading to widespread misinformation on all fronts. As the conflict escalated, so did a chaotic disinformation campaign on social media. Inaccuracies perpetuated by mainstream channels created a shadowy narrative, further compounding the family’s grief.

Manisha Pande, managing editor at Newslaundry, emphasized the unrestrained sensationalism dominating coverage. She pointed out a plethora of misleading claims, including entirely debunked assertions, that filled the airwaves in the heat of conflict.

Farooq Ahmed, grappling with his brother’s death, expressed frustration towards the media for not verifying their information. Days after Iqbal’s funeral, the family became aware of the wrongful branding through a WhatsApp video that incorrectly linked him to terrorists and misreported the circumstances of his death.

Despite a public statement from Poonch police refuting the allegations against Iqbal, declaring him a "respected religious figure" with no ties to terrorism, the damage had been done. Many had already broadly circulated the false narrative, and Mr. Ahmed felt helpless in the face of a media narrative that painted his brother as a categorized threat, dismissing their pain.

The family, which relied heavily on Iqbal as its sole breadwinner and is now left with two widows and eight children dependent on his support, faces an uncertain future. Government compensation, while a temporary relief, will only last them a short while, leaving them in dire straits. "How can they understand our plight when, to many, he will forever be a terrorist?" Mr. Ahmed asked, underscoring the gravity of their suffering against a backdrop of public misunderstanding fueled by reckless reporting.