Muslim cleric killed in cross-border shelling wrongly labelled as 'Terrorist' by news channels
New Delhi: Several national television channels have come under sharp criticism for wrongly identifying a Muslim cleric, killed in cross-border shelling by Pakistan, as a “terrorist”. The inaccurate reports have triggered widespread outrage on social media and among fact-checkers.
The victim, Qari Muhammad Iqbal, was an Islamic scholar and seminary teacher from Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. He lost his life on Tuesday during Pakistani shelling across the Line of Control (LoC). Qari Iqbal had been associated with Jamia Zia-ul-Uloom in Poonch, where he had been teaching for over ten years.
Despite this, prominent Hindi news channels such as ABP News and Zee News aired reports claiming that a “terrorist” was killed in an Indian air strike, using Qari Iqbal’s image and name—without verification. The reports were later challenged by several independent media platforms and fact-checkers.
Kashmiri news outlet The Kashmiriyat clarified that Qari Iqbal was among the civilian casualties in the shelling and not involved in any terrorist activities. Their report included his name in the official list of civilians who died in the unprovoked attack from across the border.
Criticising the misleading coverage, Mohammad Zubair of Alt News wrote on social media platform X, “This is a shameful thing by Indian news channels. Mohammad Iqbal, a Qari from Poonch, India, has died in Pakistani shelling. He is being portrayed as a 'terrorist' (in the media).”
The incident has sparked fresh concerns about the lack of verification and sensitivity in television news reporting, particularly in conflict-related coverage. It has also raised questions about the impact such misreporting can have on the families of victims and the wider community.
This is shameful by Indian News Channels. Qari Mohammad Iqbal from poonch, India was killed yesterday in shelling from Pakistan is being portrayed as a 'terrorist' in multiple national Indian news channels. pic.twitter.com/8yXkUaJswd
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) May 8, 2025
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French President Macron concludes Mumbai visit
Mumbai (PTI): French President Emmanuel Macron, along with First Lady Brigitte Macron, left Mumbai for New Delhi on Wednesday after concluding his engagements here, including bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
They were seen off at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CM Eknath Shinde.
On Tuesday, Macron held discussions with Modi as part of efforts to further strengthen India-France strategic ties.
During the Mumbai visit, the French president and his wife also met some of India's top filmmakers and actors, and had an animated exchange with them about cinema, culture and collaboration.
President Macron is on an official visit to India from February 17 to 19 at the invitation of PM Modi to participate in the AI Impact Summit hosted by India in the national capital Delhi, besides the bilateral summit in Mumbai.
PM Modi will inaugurate the summit on February 19. As many as 20 heads of states, including French President Macron, will be present at the inaugural session, Electronics and IT Secretary S Krishnan said.
