Fact-Check: Debunking misinformation surrounding the recent encounter in Kashmir’s Kupwara.

On March 17, 2025, a cordon and search operation was launched by the security forces in Krumhoora village of Zachaldara after information about the presence of terrorists was received in Kupwara kashmir. It turned into an encounter between security forces and terrorists following the open fire by terrorists on the Indian army in Kashmir’s Kupwara. Meanwhile, some false claims related to this encounter, have emerged on social media. Users including Pakistan-based Handles have shared these claims on social media platform X.

Accounts named The Intel Tracker and Southern African Eye shared some images on X and wrote: “8 Indian soldiers killed in deadly attack, 2 captured by Kashmiri fighters in Krumbhoora-Zachaldara, Rajwar region, Kupwara district”

In addition, Handles named Sharp Media Network and Kashmir Media Service claimed that a Kashmiri Youth had been killed by Indian Troops in Kupwara in Jammu and Kashmir.

Fact-Check

The DFRAC investigated these claims and found them to be misleading.

We conducted a Google keyword search related to the recent encounter and stumbled upon some of the latest reports from TOI, Deccan Herald, and Greater Kashmir.
After a thorough examination, we found that the fact of Indian soldiers being killed has not been reported in the mainstream media.

As latest updates, one terrorist was killed, while a policeman was injured in the ongoing encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Krumhoora-Zachaldara area of Handwara, in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
Furthermore, we noted that no reference to any Kashmiri Youth being killed by Indian forces has appeared in the latest reports.

Conclusion

It is evident from DFRAC’s fact-check that the claims made by the Pak-based handle concerning the recent encounter, are completely misleading. Neither any Indian soldier nor any Kashmiri youth have been killed in the recent encounter.
Analysis: Misleading