He Died in Pak Shelling, But TV News Called Him a Terrorist ft. Sonal

Branded a Terrorist After Death: The True Story of Qari Mohammad Iqbal and the Price of Media Irresponsibility

Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir – In the shadow of the Himalayas, where the Line of Control (LoC) divides two nations and communities live under the constant threat of cross-border violence, a tragedy unfolded in May that would not only claim a life but also shatter a family’s dignity and faith in the media. This is the story of Qari Mohammad Iqbal, a respected religious teacher, who became the first civilian casualty in a fresh round of Pakistani shelling—only to be posthumously branded a terrorist by national television channels.

What follows is not just an account of loss, but an exploration of how careless journalism can inflict wounds deeper than any shrapnel, and why truth and accountability matter in times of conflict.

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A Night of Shelling and Loss

On the night of May 6th, as darkness fell over the border villages of Poonch, the familiar, terrifying sound of artillery shattered the uneasy calm. Operation Sindoor had just been launched, escalating tensions along the LoC. By dawn on May 7th, relentless shelling and drone fire from across the border had left the region in chaos.

According to official records, 16 people would lose their lives in the violence that followed, and over 50 would be injured. Among the dead was Qari Mohammad Iqbal, a man known not for violence, but for his devotion to teaching children at the local madrasa. He was a maulana, a religious scholar, and a pillar of his community.

His death, marked by blood and debris, was a personal tragedy for his family and a communal loss for his village. But the real ordeal for his loved ones had only just begun.

The Media’s Rush to Judgment

As news of casualties spread, images of Qari Mohammad Iqbal’s bloodied body began circulating on social media. Within hours, several major television channels seized on his photograph and, without verification, declared him a militant. Some went further, naming him as a most-wanted terrorist, allegedly linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and the mastermind behind the Pulwama attack. They claimed the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had been hunting him for years.

The only evidence? His beard, his cap, and his clothing.

Screaming headlines and breathless anchors labeled him a “terrorist killed in action,” turning a victim of cross-border shelling into a symbol of militancy. The story ran for hours, then days, beamed into millions of homes across India.

For the family, the pain of loss was compounded by the shock of seeing their loved one’s name and image paraded as that of a dreaded terrorist. For the village, it was an insult to their collective memory and a stain on their reputation.

A Family’s Grief and Outrage

We visited Poonch to meet Qari Mohammad Iqbal’s family, determined to hear their side of the story. As we arrived, the atmosphere was heavy with grief and indignation. Tariq Mansoor, the local sarpanch and Iqbal’s nephew, recounted the events of those days with a mixture of sorrow and anger.

“We buried my uncle around 1:00 pm on May 7th. By the next morning, news channels were calling him a terrorist. They showed his death photo, taken from WhatsApp, and another image from the internet. They claimed he ran a militant training center in Pakistan and was wanted by the NIA. They even said he masterminded Pulwama,” Tariq said, his voice trembling.

He continued, “Our family has never had any connection to militancy. Not a single member has ever been an OGW (Over Ground Worker) or anti-national. The police, the army—they all know us. We have always cooperated with authorities. In fact, during every war, every crisis, our family has stayed here and served the community.”

Tariq’s words carried the weight of generations of loyalty, now called into question by a few minutes of careless television coverage.

The Community Reacts

As news spread through Poonch, outrage grew. Villagers who knew Qari Mohammad Iqbal as a gentle teacher, a patriotic Indian, and a community leader could not believe what they were seeing on TV. Protests erupted, demanding a retraction and apology from the channels responsible.

“Just because he had a beard and wore a cap, they assumed he was a militant,” Tariq said. “They didn’t bother to check with the police, the intelligence agencies, or even us. In a press release, the police clearly stated that there was no case against him, not in any agency, not anywhere. Yet, the media ran with their story.”

Despite the outcry, no channel issued an apology. Some quietly deleted their reports, but the damage was done.

The Deeper Wound: Dignity Destroyed

For Iqbal’s family, the pain was twofold: the loss of a loved one and the loss of honor. “We thought he would be remembered as a martyr, the first to die in this round of shelling. Instead, they called him a terrorist. We were already grieving, but this slander wounded us even more deeply,” Tariq said.

The family’s pain was echoed by others in the village. “If a man who sacrifices his life for his country is called a militant, what message does that send to the rest of us?” asked a local elder.

The sense of betrayal was palpable—not just towards the media, but towards a system that allowed such a grave mistake to go unchecked.

The Media’s Role in Times of Conflict

As a journalist, I found myself struggling with shame and anger, not just as a professional but as a human being. How could our industry, tasked with seeking truth and holding power to account, get it so wrong? How could we forget the basic principles of verification, fairness, and compassion?

In the rush for ratings and ‘breaking news,’ the channels overlooked the most fundamental rule of journalism: do no harm. They failed to ask the right questions, to seek out the truth, and to consider the impact of their words on real people.

It is easy to run a story for ten seconds, a minute, or two. But the consequences can last a lifetime, destroying reputations and inflicting trauma that never heals.

Seeking Accountability

After the false reports aired, Iqbal’s family approached the local police station and their Station House Officer (SHO), demanding action. The police promptly issued a press release, stating unequivocally that there were no charges or suspicions against Qari Mohammad Iqbal in any agency’s records.

Still, the media silence persisted. No retractions, no apologies, no accountability.

Tariq reflected on the double standard: “If the media had simply contacted the police, or checked their facts, all of this could have been avoided. Instead, they chose to sensationalize and stereotype. We have always been a respected family, with a history of public service. Yet, in a moment, all of that was erased.”

The Cost of Irresponsible Journalism

The story of Qari Mohammad Iqbal is not unique. In times of conflict, especially in regions like Kashmir, the temptation to fit people into neat narratives—heroes and villains, patriots and traitors—is strong. But real lives are rarely so simple.

When the media fails to uphold its duty, the consequences are devastating. For Iqbal’s family, the wounds are still raw. “We wanted our uncle to be remembered as a martyr. Instead, we are left fighting to clear his name,” Tariq said.

The impact extends beyond one family. In a region already fraught with suspicion and fear, such mistakes deepen divisions and breed mistrust—not just of the media, but of the very idea of justice.

A Journalist’s Apology

As I sat with the family, I felt compelled to apologize—not just as an individual, but on behalf of my profession. “I am sorry for what you have been put through. Even if my own channel did not run these stories, I am part of an industry that did. This report is my way of seeking some measure of justice for you, and a reminder to my colleagues that our words have power.”

Lessons for the Future

What can we learn from this tragedy? First and foremost, that every story must be approached with care, especially in times of war and tension. It is not the time for shouting, sensationalism, or spreading unverified claims. It is a time for seriousness, humility, and above all, humanity.

The media must remember that behind every headline is a human being, with a family, a history, and a right to dignity. Mistakes can happen, but they must be acknowledged and corrected. Apologies must be made, and lessons learned.

For the viewers, too, there is a lesson: question what you see, demand evidence, and do not let stereotypes cloud your judgment.

Moving Forward

As the sun set over Poonch, I left the family with a heavy heart but also a sense of resolve. Their courage in speaking out, their insistence on truth, and their refusal to be silenced are a testament to the strength of ordinary people in the face of extraordinary injustice.

The story of Qari Mohammad Iqbal is a warning—a reminder that the line between truth and falsehood is thin, and that the cost of crossing it is measured in human suffering.

Conclusion: The Real Battle

In the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, bullets and shells are not the only weapons. Words, too, can wound—and sometimes, they leave the deepest scars.

Let this story serve as a call to action: for journalists to do better, for viewers to think critically, and for society to value truth over expediency. For Qari Mohammad Iqbal’s family, the fight for justice continues. For the rest of us, the lesson is clear: in the search for news, never forget the human cost.

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This report is part of Jist’s ongoing coverage from Poonch. I am Sonal, with Dheeraj behind the camera. Tell us what you think in the comments below.