Pahalgam: Old Video Peddled As Recent Attack By Indian Army On Terrorists

Sharing the video of a house engulfed in flames, a user on X claimed, “The hideout of terrorists was burnt down. Now we will not waste time in getting them out. Any house where Afzal is seen will be reduced to ashes.”

The viral video is being widely shared in the aftermath of a crackdown by Indian security forces, who demolished the houses of at least five Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that left 27 dead and dozens injured. The operation was carried out on the night of April 25 across Shopian, Kulgam, and Pulwama.

Two homes, belonging to LeT terrorists Adil Hussain Thoker and Asif Sheikh—were demolished after explosives stored inside the house went off, Hindustan Times reported.

Fact-check

BOOM ran a reverse image search using key frames from the viral video and found that it dates back to May, 2021. The footage was originally uploaded by Jammu and Kashmir-based news outlet Excelsior News, the official video channel of Daily Excelsior, with the title: "Kokernag Encounter: Militants Made Abortive Bid To Escape Before Being Killed."

Further, news reports from May 11, 2021, confirmed that three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants were killed in an encounter with Indian security forces in the Vailoo area of Kokernag, Anantnag district. News outlets such as The Hindu, The Times of India, Hindustan Times, India Today, and ANI reported on the incident.

According to then Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar, the encounter began around 4 a.m. when security forces surrounded a residential house in Sheikhpora village, where three militants were hiding. News reports stated that despite being given a chance to surrender, they opened fire on the security forces, which led to an encounter.

The militants were identified as Ilyas Ahmad Dar alias Sameer from Danwathpora, Kokernag; Ubaid Shafi alias Abdullah from Batamaloo, Srinagar; and Aqib Ahmad Lone alias Sahil from Khandaypora, Kulgam.