Latest news with #FarooqAhmed
BBC News
25-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Kashmir: The story of a dead Indian teacher who media falsely labelled a terrorist
Farooq Ahmed still bristles with anger when he talks about his brother's Iqbal, a resident of Poonch city in Indian-administered Kashmir, died in cross-border shelling on 7 May, the morning after India launched a series of air strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in retaliation to a militant attack in the town of Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Pakistan has denied having any role in the Ahmed says that Iqbal died where he had worked for more than two decades - Zia-ul-Uloom, a madrassa, or a religious centre focused on Islamic teachings, in his death, it turned out, was just the beginning of the family's troubles. As the news spread, several media channels falsely accused Iqbal of being a terrorist, following which the police put out a statement refuting the claim."My brother was a teacher but they saw his beard and skullcap and branded him a terrorist," Mr Ahmed says."It was like having salt rubbed into our wounds. We had lost Iqbal and then the media defamed him. The dead can't defend themselves."Indian officials say that a total of 16 people, including Iqbal, were killed in the cross-border shelling during the four-day military conflict that broke out between India and Pakistan following the has claimed 40 civilian deaths, though, it remains unclear how many of these were directly caused by the two nuclear-armed countries have shared a tense relationship for decades, as both administer the Himalayan region of Kashmir in part, but claim it in have fought three wars over Kashmir since independence from Britain in 1947 and came back from the brink of another one earlier this month. But as the military conflict escalated, another battle played out on social media - a disinformation war of claims and counterclaims that circulated online and on TV. Just like rumours about Iqbal's identity, other misleading and inaccurate information also found its way into some mainstream news channels and included claims such as India having destroyed Pakistan's Karachi port, which was later debunked by the Indian of the other fabrications were harder to spot, like an AI-generated video of a Pakistan army general claiming that his country had lost two aircraft in combat."The scale of misinformation and fact-free assertions being broadcast by the media was shocking," says Manisha Pande, managing editor at Newslaundry, an independent news notes that while a degree of sensationalism is expected as channels compete for viewership, "the jingoistic and irresponsible coverage" of the conflict was unprecedented in its intensity — and unlike anything she had witnessed one knows this better than Mr Ahmed. "I don't know where news channels got the information about my brother from," Mr Ahmed says."Who did they speak to? What kind of evidence did they have that my brother was a terrorist?" he asks. Weeks later, the family is still reeling from the Ahmed says that on 7 May, his brother left home for the madrassa in the morning as usual, but it was his body that returned home. By noon, they had buried him in a nearby some time, the family had no idea about the misinformation that was being shared by some news outlets. They were busy performing Iqbal's last was only hours later that a relative received a WhatsApp forward - a video clip of a prominent news channel claiming that the Indian army had killed a terrorist, with Iqbal's photo flashing on the screen."We were shocked. Soon, we began getting more calls from people asking us what was going on and why was the media calling Iqbal a terrorist," Mr Ahmed claim was shared by some prominent channels, including Zee News, ABP and News18. The BBC has reached out to the channels for comment. One channel claimed that Iqbal was killed in an "Indian strike on a terrorist camp" in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and that he was a terrorist with Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. "Our family members have been staying in Poonch for generations. How can they say my brother was living in Pakistan? They [the media] should be ashamed," Mr Ahmed says. The accusation against Iqbal was circulated so widely and swiftly that on 8 May, the Poonch police put out a statement, clarifying that Iqbal had died in cross-border shelling in the madrasa."Poonch Police strongly refutes such false narratives. The deceased, Maulana Mohd Iqbal, was a respected religious figure in the local community and had no affiliation with any terror outfit," the statement said, adding that legal action would be taken against any media outlet or individual who circulated the fake for Mr Ahmed, the statement was too little too late."By then, the false claim would've already reached millions of people in India," he says. He adds that except for one channel, News18, no one else had publicly apologised to him or their viewers for the mistake. Mr Ahmed says he wants to take legal action against the channels, but the process would have to wait as the family is struggling to make ends meet. Iqbal is survived by his two wives and eight children. He was the only earning member in his family. Mr Ahmed says that the compensation given by the government, which amounts to a few million rupees, will last only for a year or two and they must start planning for the future now."The whole family depended on my brother. He was a quiet and gentle man who loved teaching children," Mr Ahmed says."But who's going to tell this to the world? For many people, my brother is still a terrorist whose killing is justified. How will they understand our pain?"Additional reporting by Auqib Javeed in Srinagar in Indian-administered KashmirFollow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
TBMs for underground section of Metro's Purple Line launched
1 2 Kolkata: The lowering or launching of the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will construct the Purple Line's underground section began on Thursday. Despiteuncertainty over the Kidderpore Metro station , Metro Railway, which operates the city's rapid transit network, and RVNL, which is implementing the 14 km Purple Line or the Joka-Esplanade corridor (now extended to Eden Gardens), are proceeding with the construction of the underground tunnels. As reported by TOI on Mar 9, the TBMs, each 90 m long and weighing 650 tonnes, were almost entirely made in Herrenknecht's Alinjivakkam unit in Tamil Nadu. They were dismantled into 18 parts each to be transported in trailers across 1,653 km from TN to Kolkata. During this time, they were stored in trailers outside St Thomas' Boys School. A 17 m deep shaft has been constructed inside the school premises to launch the giant machines. The machines will be assembled underground in the next 45 days, and the first drive may start byJune end. "Contractors L&T are deploying the TBMs to construct the 2.65 km twin tunnels from Kidderpore to Park Street," a Metro official said. The TBMs will first build 1.7 km from St Thomas' to Victoria. The second drive will span 950 m from Victoria to Park Street. The line's northern end, from Park Street to Esplanade, will be built using the cut-and-cover method. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gạch lát sàn cao su không cần keo – xu hướng mới nhất tại Việt Nam! Gạch | Quảng cáo tìm kiếm Tìm Ngay Undo The Purple line is supposed to have four stations: Kidderpore, Victoria Memorial, Park Street, and Esplanade. "But Metro Railway is not sure if the Kidderpore station will be built at all, as land at Kolkata Police's Bodyguard Lines at Ekbalpore is not available yet, despite repeated pleas to the state govt," a Railways official said. Meanwhile, contractors L&T, awarded the Rs 2,447 crore underground package which spans 5 km, started construction of the Victoria station in Sept 2023 and began casting tunnel ring segments in their Sarkarpool (near Mahestala) unit in July 2024. "We seem to have waited for eternity to avail the Purple Line, which is being extended on both sides—beyond Joka and towards BBD Bag. Hopefully, the land impasse over Kidderpore Metro station will end soon, and people along Diamond Harbour Road will be spared the ordeal of travelling in crowded buses," Ekbalbore Road resident Farooq Ahmed said. Kolkata: The lowering or launching of the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) that will construct the Purple Line's underground section began on Thursday. Despiteuncertainty over the Kidderpore Metro station, Metro Railway, which operates the city's rapid transit network, and RVNL, which is implementing the 14 km Purple Line or the Joka-Esplanade corridor (now extended to Eden Gardens), are proceeding with the construction of the underground tunnels. As reported by TOI on Mar 9, the TBMs, each 90 m long and weighing 650 tonnes, were almost entirely made in Herrenknecht's Alinjivakkam unit in Tamil Nadu. They were dismantled into 18 parts each to be transported in trailers across 1,653 km from TN to Kolkata. During this time, they were stored in trailers outside St Thomas' Boys School. A 17 m deep shaft has been constructed inside the school premises to launch the giant machines. The machines will be assembled underground in the next 45 days, and the first drive may start byJune end. "Contractors L&T are deploying the TBMs to construct the 2.65 km twin tunnels from Kidderpore to Park Street," a Metro official said. The TBMs will first build 1.7 km from St Thomas' to Victoria. The second drive will span 950 m from Victoria to Park Street. The line's northern end, from Park Street to Esplanade, will be built using the cut-and-cover method. The Purple line is supposed to have four stations: Kidderpore, Victoria Memorial, Park Street, and Esplanade. "But Metro Railway is not sure if the Kidderpore station will be built at all, as land at Kolkata Police's Bodyguard Lines at Ekbalpore is not available yet, despite repeated pleas to the state govt," a Railways official said. Meanwhile, contractors L&T, awarded the Rs 2,447 crore underground package which spans 5 km, started construction of the Victoria station in Sept 2023 and began casting tunnel ring segments in their Sarkarpool (near Mahestala) unit in July 2024. "We seem to have waited for eternity to avail the Purple Line, which is being extended on both sides—beyond Joka and towards BBD Bag. Hopefully, the land impasse over Kidderpore Metro station will end soon, and people along Diamond Harbour Road will be spared the ordeal of travelling in crowded buses," Ekbalbore Road resident Farooq Ahmed said.
News18
30-04-2025
- Politics
- News18
'PoK-Based Terrorist Played Key Role In Pahalgam Attack, 15 OGWs Under Scanner': Key Details From NIA Probe
According to officials, Farooq Ahmed alias Farooq Teedwa, a Lashkar-e-Taiba commander operating from PoK, facilitated the entry of the Pahalgam attackers. Pahalgam Terror Attack: After the dastardly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 tourists, shook the nation, the Indian Army and intelligence agencies have stepped up their investigation into the incident and are locating the perpetrators behind this incident. After interrogating more than 2,000 Over Ground Workers (OGWs), at least 15 of these workers are under the scanner of the NIA. These 15 OGWs have been zeroed in on after intensive questioning by security officials. One of the wanted terrorists in connection with the Pahalgam attack is Farooq Ahmed alias Farooq Teedwa, a Lashkar-e-Taiba commander who is believed to be operating from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). His home in J&K's Kupwara district was among the ten demolished by security forces last week. Intelligence inputs suggest that Farooq has facilitated the entry of Pakistani terrorists and put them in touch with his network of OGWs. These workers have been questioned to ascertain the identity of those who aided the Pahalgam attackers. Tensions High Between India And Pakistan Tensions are high between India and Pakistan, as the Pakistani Army has repeatedly violated ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) for six consecutive days. Tensions have escalated as Pakistani troops have now opened fire across the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir's Pargwal Sector for the first time, to which Indian Army responded effectively. A week since the attack, security forces, intelligence agencies, and investigation teams are carrying out relentless operations in Kashmir. Large-scale detentions are being carried out. Security forces have arrested various individuals who are believed to have assisted the attackers. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has officially taken over the investigation from the Jammu and Kashmir police. During the crackdown, 10 residences belonging to the terrorists were demolished. The local government has decided to shut more than 40 tourist sites to review the security audit of these sites in J&K. Authorities have stepped up the manhunt to locate the terrorists. They have also released sketches of the suspects, and a photograph of them went viral on social media. The three terrorists were identified as Hashim Musa alias Sulaiman, Ali Bhai alias Talha Bhai, and Adil Hussain Thokar. Musa and Talha are Pakistanis, while Thokar is a local terrorist, the officials said. India's Response To Pahalgam Attack In a high-level security meeting on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that Indian armed forces have complete operational freedom to decide on the mode, targets, and timing of the nation's response to the Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 tourists were killed. PM Modi also chaired the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs (CCPA) meeting at his official residence of 7, Lok Kalyan Marg on Wednesday, the first since the Pulwama attack in 2019. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are participating in the meeting. The PM also held a Cabinet meeting after the crucial meetings. Meanwhile, the police arrested 3 overground workers of the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora as a crackdown on the terrorists and their associates is underway in the Valley, officials said. Intelligence sources also said the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack, Hashim Musa, is hiding in Kashmir. First Published:
India Today
26-04-2025
- India Today
6th terrorist's house blown up as anti-terror ops intensify post-Pahalgam attack
In the past 48 hours, security forces, in coordination with district administrations, have escalated their actions against terrorism by demolishing the homes of several terrorists across Jammu and Kashmir. The actions came in the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, and injured many latest operation saw the house of Farooq Ahmed, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist currently based out of Pakistan, blown up in Kupwara. This marked the sixth such action following the Pahalgam attack. Along with Farooq's house, properties linked to other terrorists were also THE VIDEO BELOW Among them were the houses of Adil Ahmad Thokar from Thokerpoora in Anantnag district, Ahsan ul Haq Sheikh from Murran in Pulwama, Asif Ahmad Sheikh from Tral, Shahid Ahmad Kuttay from Chotipora in Shopian and Zahid Ahmad Ganie from Matalhama in Kulgam. On Friday, security forces demolished the houses of two terrorists believed to be involved in the Pahalgam attack. While the residence of Lashkar terrorist Adil Hussain Thoker in Bijbehara was blown up using IEDs, the house of Asif Sheikh in Tral was demolished with a to officials, Adil Thoker is suspected of facilitating the Pakistani terrorists in executing the deadly assault in Baisaran Valley earlier this week. Thoker crossed into Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab in 2018, where he underwent training at terror camps. He later infiltrated back into Jammu and Kashmir sometime last Anantnag Police has announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the capture of Thoker and two Pakistani nationals, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa, responsible for the recent attack. Along with the reward, the police have released sketches of the suspects as security forces intensified their terrorists, reportedly 4 to 5 in number, emerged from the thick pine forest encircling Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam on April 22, opening fire with AK-47s on unsuspecting tourists.
