A Pakistan-based think tank claimed on Social media site X(Twitter) that 3 Indian soldiers had been killed in an explosion in Rajouri, Jammu, and Kashmir.
Taking to X(Twitter), the think tank named ‘Conflict Watch PSF’ wrote: “CONFIRMED As of now 3 Indian soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Rajouri, IIOJK”
The archive version can be seen here.
Fact-Check
To determine the reality of the above-posted claim, the DFRAC team searched some keywords on Google in the context of the posted claim. The team found some media reports during this process.
According to a media report by Deccan Herald from Jan 18, 2024, An ‘Agniveer’ soldier was killed and two others injured in a landmine blast along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir. Reports said that the soldiers were on routine patrolling duty when the mine blast took place leaving at least three soldiers injured. The injured soldiers were evacuated to Command Hospital Udhampur, where one succumbed to his injuries. The slain was identified as Ajay Singh of Ludhiana, an ‘Agniveer’ soldier. The injured were identified as Sepoy Balwant Singh, who suffered shrapnel injuries on the legs, and Subedar Dharminder Singh.
Furthermore, another media report from Hindustan Times dated 18 Jan 2024 also stated: “An Agniveer soldier, Ajay Singh of Ludhiana, died and two others were injured in a landmine blast along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district on Thursday. Three soldiers were injured in the blast. One of them, an Agniveer, succumbed to his injuries. The injured were airlifted and undergoing treatment at Command Hospital, Udhampur. The injured were identified as sepoy Balwant Singh, who suffered shrapnel injuries on the legs, and Subedar Dharminder Singh”
In addition to that, media reports from The Economic Times and ETV Bharat also reported similar facts regarding the posted claim.
Conclusion
It is clear from DFRAC’s fact-check that the posted claim stating 3 Indian soldiers have been killed in an explosion in Rajouri, IIOJK is misleading. In fact, out of three, two were injured and one succumbed to injuries.
Analysis: Misleading