SRINAGAR: Police have denied claims made by some TV channels that Maulana Mohammad Iqbal was a Lashkar-e-Toiba militant and was killed in Indian military strike in Kotli, PoK.
They confirmed that Iqbal was killed in Pakistani artillery shelling in Poonch and described him as a respected religious figure with no terror links.
Iqbal, 46, son of Peer Baksh and a resident of village Baila in Tehsil Mandi in Poonch was killed in cross-border shelling by Pakistan while he was at Madrasa Zia-ul-Uloom in Poonch city on Wednesday, a police spokesman said.
“It has come to the notice of Poonch Police that certain media channels and social media platforms are circulating baseless and misleading reports regarding the death of Maulana Mohammad Iqbal,” the spokesperson said.
“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 spokesperson added.
Police warned 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.
Some private TV news channels had claimed that Maulana Iqbal was killed in the Indian strike on a terror camp in Kotli in PoK.
“All media personnel and platforms are advised to verify facts from official sources before publishing any information pertaining to security and public order,” the police spokesperson said.
