In the tumultuous landscape of Kashmir, terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan has resurfaced, casting a dark shadow over several districts. The recent tragic incident in the northern Kashmir district of Baramulla saw the untimely demise of retired Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Shafi Meer. Meer fell victim to assailants’ gunfire while engaged in the solemn act of offering the Aazan. However, amidst this grim reality, a disconcerting narrative has proliferated on social media, positing that the demise of the retired SSP was a consequence of actions undertaken by the Indian Armed Forces.
Af-Pak Monitor tweeted, “Retired Muslim SP Mohd Shafi Was Shot Dead by Indian Forces During Azan in Baramulla. Indian Forces on Sunday morning shot dead a retired police officer Mohd Shafi in Gantmulla area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. He was shot dead while giving Azan.”
#AfPakUpdate
— Af-Pak Monitor (@AfPak_monitor) December 24, 2023
Retired Muslim SP Mohd Shafi Was Shot Dead by Indian Forces During Azan in #Baramulla
Indian Forces on Sunday morning shot dead a retired police officer Mohd Shafi in Gantmulla area of north Kashmir's #Baramulla district.
He was shot dead while giving Azan. pic.twitter.com/PHU8rxLS69
Military Updates wrote on X, “State that has killed its own retired official just because he was a Muslim. SSP(R) Mohammad Shafi Mir from Baramulla has been shot dead by Indian Security Forces inside a Mosque during fajar prayer in Gantmulla, Sheeri, Baramulla, IIOJK. Frustration of Indian Armed Forces.”
https://twitter.com/braxter76/status/1738911522703757772?s=46
Pakistani X handle The Intel Consortium wrote, “Retired Muslim SP Mohd Shafi was shot dead by Indian Forces during Azan in Baramulla. Indian Forces on Sunday morning shot dead a retired police officer in Gantmulla area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. He was shot dead while giving a prayer call (Azan) in a mosque.”
https://twitter.com/intelpk_/status/1738800876423430217?s=46
Dr. Veronica Roth tweeted, “Retired Muslim SP Mohd Shafi was shot dead by Indian Forces during Azan in Baramulla. Indian Forces on Sunday morning shot dead a retired police officer in Gantmulla area of north Kashmir’s #Baramulla district. He was shot dead while giving a prayer call (Azan) in a mosque.”
https://twitter.com/drveronica40223/status/1738942847779570150?s=46
Hasan Alvi wrote, “Retired Muslim SP Mohd Shafi was shot dead by Indian Forces during Azan in Baramulla Indian Forces on Sunday morning shot dead a retired police officer in Gantmulla area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. He was shot dead while giving a prayer call (Azan) in a mosque.”
https://twitter.com/alvi3334o/status/1738817951795650603?s=46
Fact Check
In our pursuit of uncovering the veracity behind the narrative disseminated by sympathizers of terrorists, we diligently sought out pertinent news reports about the incident. According to the Hindu, it is affirmed that the assault on Retired Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Shafi Meer, culminating in his tragic demise, unequivocally stemmed from a terrorist attack.
#Terrorists fired upon Shri Mohd Shafi, a retired police officer at Gantmulla, Sheeri #Baramulla, while praying Azan in the mosque and succumbed to injuries. Area has been #cordoned off. Further details awaited.@JmuKmrPolice
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) December 24, 2023
According to the Indian Express, “ Soon after the attack, a joint team of J-K Police and the Indian Army cordoned off the area to trace and arrest the militants involved in the attack. “The area has been cordoned off. Further details are awaited,” said a police officer.”
As per the report by India Today, a lamentable incident unfolded in the Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, wherein terrorists targeted and fatally shot a retired senior police officer during his devotional observance in a mosque on Sunday. The victim, identified as Mohammad Shafi Meer, a former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), was engaged in prayers within the precincts of a local mosque in Gantamulla Bala when he became the target of assailants who unleashed gunfire upon him, resulting in his tragic demise.
Dainik Jagran reported the statements of the family of the victim. According to Dainik Jagran, ‘Mohammad Mustafa Meer, the brother of the victim said that at the time of this attack, it was unclear what had happened. Initially, they thought it might be a technical issue with the microphone, but as soon as they saw Shafi covered in blood, they were utterly shocked. He mentioned that it was a cowardly attack.’
‘Abdul Karim Meer mentioned that his nephew, Mohammad Iqbal, informed him that terrorists had shot his uncle, and he found it hard to believe. He urged the government to take strong action against the attackers. People attending the funeral stated that there was peace in their area, and everyone was living peacefully. It’s unclear why he was targeted. Mohammad Shafi had retired in the year 2012.’
According to reports, Mohammad Shafi Meer followed his customary routine of attending prayers at a nearby mosque. As he commenced the call to prayer (Azaan), a terrorist approached from behind, firing shots at point-blank range. Subsequently, Meer collapsed, wounded and bleeding, prompting the assailants to assume his demise as they hastily fled the scene. Simultaneously, the mosque’s occupants raised an urgent alarm, prompting nearby security forces and residents to respond swiftly to the sounds of gunfire. They promptly transported the injured Meer to the hospital, where medical professionals, regrettably, confirmed his demise.
Henceforth, it is conclusively established that the demise of retired Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Mohammad Shafi Meer was a result of a terrorist act. There exists a concerted effort by certain Pakistani X handles and sympathizers of terrorists to disseminate disinformation, orchestrating a fabricated narrative that falsely accuses the Indian military of targeting Muslim police officers. Contrary to this unfounded assertion, the unequivocal truth is that terrorists were responsible for the tragic killing of the retired police officer.
| Claim | Retired SSP Mohammad Shafi Meer was killed by Indian Armed Forces |
| Claimed by | Af-Pak, The Intel Consortium, Military Updates and other X handle |
| Fact Check | Fake |
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