Poonch Rallies Around Muslim Cleric Killed in Pak Shelling Who Was Labelled 'Terrorist' By TV Channels

Poonch: Killed in cross-border shelling from Pakistan and labelled a terrorist by mainstream Indian news channels, the memory of slain cleric Qari Mohammad Iqbal has some defenders – the Poonch community and police.

A civilian, 46-year-old Iqbal was a teacher at Madrasa Zia-ul-Uloom in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. He lived in the Baila village in the Mandi Tehsil of Poonch. He was killed in cross-border shelling from Pakistan on Tuesday, local officials confirmed.

Multiple national news channels used Iqbal's image, inaccurately identifying him as a“terrorist” who was "neutralised" by Indian airstrikes.

Qari Mohammad Iqbal. Photo: By arrangement.

Channels such as ABP News and Zee News broadcast the claim – clearly without verification – prompting strong reactions from local civil society members.

Then, Poonch Police itself strongly refuted the false narrative, calling the reports “baseless and misleading”.

The police statement affirmed that he had, “lost his life due to cross-border shelling by Pakistan in Madrasa Zia-ul-Uloom, Poonch city.”

It further stated, “The deceased, Maulana Mohd Iqbal, was a respected religious figure in the local community and had no affiliation with any terror outfit. Misreporting of such sensitive incidents not only causes unnecessary panic but also disrespects the dignity of the deceased and the sentiments of the bereaved family.”

The statement said that any media outlet, journalist, or individual found indulging in the circulation of such fake news shall be liable for legal action as warranted under relevant provisions of law.

'Family is deeply hurt'

“He was a civilian and they have branded him a terrorist. Shame on those insulting his memory and years of dedicated service to the seminary in Poonch. His family members are deeply hurt and so is everyone in our community,” said Shahnawaz Choudhary, District Development Council member from Poonch.

There is outrage on social media, including in the comment section of such news reports, for “shamelessly labelling Qari Saab as a terrorist,” despite his civilian status and standing as a teacher.

Senior BJP leader Ravinder Raina said, “I am hurt that this happened. When mortars fell in Poonch, it not only killed Hindus and Sikhs but also Muslims. These people in Delhi who have no idea of the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir and are spreading poison are the biggest enemies of the nation.”

Community leaders in Poonch also described Iqbal as a respected Islamic scholar and teacher.

The Islamic Welfare Organisation urged the authorities to register an FIR against media channels involved in spreading propaganda that defamed Iqbal’s memory and stated, “Setting an example is crucial to prevent future defamation and uphold justice.”

Shafqat Mir, head of the Islamic Welfare Organisation in Rajouri said, “What sources do these organisations have that they called him a Lashkar-affiliated terrorist? He has been serving the madrasa for more than a decade now and was instrumental in helping people regardless of their identity during the pandemic.”

At the time of filing this report, none of the television channels had issued an official correction.