Indian troops arrested a terror associate or an innocent Kashmiri Youth?
Some Pak-based handles took to social media platforms X(formerly Twitter) and claimed that Indian troops arrested an innocent youth, Mohammad Shabir, in Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir, accusing him of contacting pro-freedom activists & planting weapons on him.
An account with the username @KashmiriTales posted a link to the news and wrote: ” #Indian forces arrest innocent #kashmiri youth Mohammad Shabir, in #Poonch IIOJK, on dubious charges. Allegations of contact with pro-freedom activists & weapon possession raise concerns of continued suppression.
Furthermore, other pak-based handles also posted this news followed by this account.
Fact-Check
The DFRAC team fact-checked the above viral news. We conducted a keyword search on Google in this regard that led us to some latest published reports from India Today, Tehelka, and Greater Kashmir.
As per reports, the Indian Army and CRPF arrested a terror associate and recovered a huge cache of arms from him in Jammu & Kashmir’s Poonch district. The investigation suggested that the accused, identified as Mohammed Shabir, was in touch with his (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir)PoK-based handler who directed him to collect the arms from Surankot.
Conclusion
It is evident from DFRAC’s fact-check that the viral claim alleging that Indian troops arrested troops arrest innocent youth, Mohammad Shabir, in Poonch has been misleadingly shared on X. In reality, he was a terror associate who had been in touch with his PoK-based handler who directed him to collect the arms from Surankot.
Analysis: Misleading
