Misinformation Deepens Grief for Kashmiri Family After Tragic Loss

The family of Mohammad Iqbal, a victim of cross-border shelling, grapples with their loss while facing damaging misinformation as media inaccurately labels him a terrorist, highlighting issues of truth in war reporting.

Farooq Ahmed's anger is palpable as he recounts the tragic death of his brother, Mohammad Iqbal, who was killed on May 7 in cross-border shelling in Poonch city, Indian-administered Kashmir. The shelling incident occurred shortly after India conducted airstrikes in response to a militant attack that claimed 26 lives in Pahalgam. This ongoing conflict between two nuclear-armed nations has intensified scrutiny and sensationalism in the media surrounding the region.

Iqbal had spent over two decades teaching at Zia-ul-Uloom, a local madrassa focused on Islamic education, which only amplifies the family's pain as they now confront the accusation that he was a terrorist. "They automatically assumed he was a terrorist because of his beard and skullcap," lamented Mr. Ahmed, expressing that the media's portrayal felt like adding salt to their wounds.

Following Iqbal's death, the family faced a barrage of misinformation, with multiple news outlets falsely branding him a terrorist. Despite refutations from local police, the rapid spread of these claims had already reached a wide audience before anyone could correct the narrative.

Farooq Ahmed lamented the media's lack of accountability, stating, “Who provided them with this information? Where is the evidence?” The media frenzy only exacerbated the family's turmoil as they were still mourning. Reports falsely suggested that Iqbal was associated with a Pakistan-based terrorist group, strategizing an elaborate misinformation campaign over the social media platforms.

Manisha Pande, managing editor at Newslaundry, expressed disbelief at the sheer volume of inaccurate reporting during this sensitive time. With both nations' military tensions escalating, media channels have been eager to secure viewership, leading to a deeply irresponsible handling of complex issues.

The repercussions of this situation have left the Ahmed family reeling; Iqbal, the sole provider for his family of two wives and eight children, has been lost to them forever. As they navigate their heartbreak, Farooq Ahmed considers his family's future, knowing that the government compensation will barely sustain them for a couple of years.

The story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of conflict and the grave implications of misleading media narratives. "For many, my brother will always be a terrorist who deserved what happened to him. Who will understand our pain?" Ahmed reflected, underscoring a sorrow that goes beyond loss—it is intertwined with fights for dignity and truth in a world plagued by misinformation.