Maulana Mohammad Iqbal, a respected Islamic scholar, was killed in cross-border shelling in Poonch district on Thursday, amid a sudden escalation of hostilities along the Line of Control (LoC). Iqbal was among 16 civilians who lost their lives in the shelling, which targeted civilian areas including religious institutions.
The 46-year-old scholar was teaching at the Jamia Zia-ul-Uloom seminary in Poonch city when the shelling occurred. Residents and local leaders mourned the loss, describing him as a well-regarded figure in the community with no political or militant affiliations.
Controversy erupted after several national news outlets incorrectly reported that Iqbal was a “terrorist commander” killed in an Indian airstrike. The claims, made without official verification, sparked widespread condemnation from fact-checkers, civil society groups, and the public.
In response, Poonch Police issued a clarification via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“Poonch Police refutes fake news circulating about the death of Maulana Mohd Iqbal in cross-border shelling. He had no terror links. Misreporting causes panic and legal action will follow against those spreading misinformation.”
The circulation of false information has drawn attention to the growing concern over unverified reporting in conflict zones. Local activists and local authorities have called for responsible journalism and urged news organisations to verify facts from credible sources before publishing.
The recent uptick in cross-border shelling has heightened tensions in the region, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
The Chenab Times News Desk