Poonch, May 8: The recent escalation along the Line of Control (LoC) has not only claimed civilian lives but also stirred controversy after national television channels wrongly identified a civilian victim as a terrorist.
Qari Mohammad Iqbal, an Islamic scholar and teacher at Jamia Zia-ul-Uloom seminary in Baila village of Poonch district, was killed in cross-border shelling from Pakistan on Tuesday, local authorities confirmed. The 45-year-old religious teacher was among the 13 civilians who lost their lives amid the sudden flare-up of hostilities in the region.
However, multiple Indian news outlets, including ABP News and Zee News, broadcasted Iqbal’s death as that of a “terrorist commander” neutralised in Indian airstrikes — a claim made without verification, sparking sharp criticism from civil society and fact-checking groups.
The incorrect reporting has angered residents and relatives of the deceased, who say the channels have tarnished the image of an innocent man. “Qari Sahib was a humble teacher known for his dedication to religious education. To label him a terrorist is not only factually wrong but an insult to his family and the community,” said a neighbour in Baila.
AltNews co-founder Mohammed Zubair, known for exposing media misinformation, called the reports “shameful.” “Qari Mohammad Iqbal was a civilian killed in Pakistani shelling. The media’s misrepresentation is a new low,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Locals say Iqbal had spent over two decades teaching Quranic studies and was respected across Poonch for his quiet demeanor and community work. “He was never involved in any political or militant activity,” said a local imam, who urged news organisations to issue a public apology.
So far, none of the channels named in the reports have issued a clarification or retraction, despite mounting pressure online and offline.
The incident has reignited concerns about the role of national media during conflict, especially in sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir.
Many are demanding accountability and calling on journalistic bodies to take note of the misreporting that has added to the trauma of an already grieving family.
Police spokesperson in a statement said, it has come to the notice of Poonch Police that certain media channels and social media platforms are circulating baseless and misleading reports regarding the death of Maulana Mohd Iqbal S/o Peer Baksh R/o Village Baila, Tehsil Mandi, aged approx. 46 years, who lost his life due to cross-border shelling by Pakistan in Madrasa Zia-ul-Uloom, Poonch city, it reads.
Poonch Police strongly refutes by such false narrative. The deceased, Maulana Mohd Iqbal, was a respected religious figure in the local community and had no affiliation with any terror outfit. Misreporting of such sensitive incidents not only causes unnecessary panic but also disrespects the dignity of the deceased and the sentiments of the bereaved family, it reads.
Statement reads, it is hereby warned that any media outlet, journalist, or individual found indulging in the circulation of such fake news shall be liable for legal action as warranted under relevant provisions of law.
All media personnel and platforms are advised to verify facts from official sources before publishing any information pertaining to security and public order, reads the statement.
