Deserter Soldier's False Claims on Pahalgam Attack Exposed
A claim is being circulated on social media regarding the Pahalgam attack, suggesting that an Indian Army soldier has allegedly exposed the involvement of the Indian Army in the incident through a self-recorded video. This claim is being shared by a handle named Kashmir Media Service (archived link), which, in its report, states that the soldier’s name is Arif Mushtaq, affiliated with the Indian Army’s 29 Rashtriya Rifles.
In the video, Arif Mushtaq reportedly says that he has been serving in the Indian Army for eight years and has been posted in Kashmir for the past three years. During this time, he has become aware of the alleged actions of the Indian Army, including the killing of innocent civilians.
He makes a serious allegation in his statement, claiming that the tragic Pahalgam attack on April 22 involved the Indian government, the Intelligence Bureau, RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), and the Indian Army.
Another handle Radio Sadaye Hurriyet Jammu And Kashmir asserted, “Indian Army behind Pahalgam incident, soldier from IIOJK spills the beans.” (archived link)
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In our fact-check research, we found a report by The Indian Express which reveals that the soldier who made several serious allegations against Indian Army, is actually named Dilhair Mushtaq of the 29 Rashtriya Rifles.
According to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Mushtaq is a deserter, who has been absent from duty since March 2025 and has also been out of contact with his family members.
The PIB unit has termed the allegations made by this deserter soldier as false. Furthermore, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have registered a case against Mushtaq under Sections 197(D) (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration) and 152 (act endangering sovereignty, unity and integrity of India) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Ganderbal police station.
In conclusion, Dilhair Mushtaq of the 29 Rashtriya Rifles, who made accusations against the government and the Indian Army claiming their involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack, is a deserter who has been absent from duty since March 2025. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, rejecting his claims as false, have filed an FIR against him under several sections. The video of this deserter soldier is being circulated with false claims.
| Claim | An Indian soldier reveals that the Indian Army was behind the Pahalgam terror attack. |
| Claimed by | Kashmir Media Service and RadioSHJK |
| Fact Check | The soldier seen in the video, Dilhair Mushtaq, is a deserter who has been missing from duty since March 2025 and is not in contact with his family either. After the video went viral, the J&K Police filed an FIR against this deserter soldier for falsely accusing the Indian Army. |
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