Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Late in May, the Indian security forces launched Operation Sheruwali in the forests of Rajouri and nearby Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, following intelligence reports about the presence of militants in the area. As the operation entered its twelfth day, two videos allegedly linked to it were widely shared.
The first video shows a massive explosion at a distance that shatters the windows of the person recording it. The second shows an ANI video report about Operation Sheruwali, with the location mentioned as Rajouri.
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Sharing the videos, an X user wrote, “Indian Army has been conducting an operation in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, for the past 11 days. Our 18 Indian Army soldiers have lost their lives, while 24 have been injured. Rajouri has echoed with explosions and gunfire.”
India Today Fact Check found that the first video is unrelated to the ongoing operation in Rajouri and shows an explosion at a fireworks’ factory in Malta, Europe. Also, the claim that eighteen Indian army soldiers died in the operation is false.
OUR PROBE
Reverse-searching frames from the first video led us to its longer version in a Guardian report from June 1. According to the news outlet, it shows an explosion at a fireworks factory named Ta’ Lourdes in Malta, Europe.
We also found the viral clip shared by Malta Today on Facebook on June 1. The post stated that a loud explosion was heard across several parts of Malta that day. The news outlet also reported that two men were admitted to Mater Dei Hospital following the explosion at the Ta’ Lourdes fireworks factory in the Maghtab area.
A keyword search led us to the second video published by ANI on June 2. According to the news agency, security forces had intensified the cordon and search operation to track down terrorists on the 11th day of the operation in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir.
We also searched for reports about 18 Indian Army soldiers losing their lives in the operation, but did not find anything credible. However, PIB Fact Check on June 3 also debunked the claim of 18 soldiers dying in the operation, calling it “fake”.
Thus, we concluded that the viral claims are misleading.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
