In the wake of recent shelling in Poonch district, Jammu, the tragic death of local madrasa teacher Qari Mohammad Iqbal has been further marred by misreporting from several national media outlets. These outlets erroneously identified him as a “PoK terror mastermind” killed in Indian airstrikes, a claim that has been met with widespread condemnation.(ThePrint, asiannewshub.com)
Iqbal’s family, already grieving their loss, had to confront these unfounded allegations, with his brother, Qari Mohammad Farooq, publicly denouncing the misrepresentation. Local authorities, including the Poonch police, have clarified that Iqbal was a respected religious figure with no ties to any terror groups.
The incident has sparked outrage among residents and officials alike, highlighting concerns over media responsibility and the potential for communal tensions. Local journalist Zamarrud Mughal criticized the media’s portrayal, suggesting that superficial attributes like a beard or cap were used to make baseless assumptions about Iqbal’s affiliations.(Telegraph India)
This misreporting has not only deepened the community’s grief but also raised questions about the role of media in conflict zones and the importance of accurate, sensitive reporting.
Credit: The Telegraph India
