A video featuring gunfire in the background is being circulated with the claim that it depicts the recent encounter between security forces and terrorists in Kathua. However, we found that the video was circulated in September 2024, during an encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Pathanateer area of the Mendhar sector, Poonch. It is not related to the ongoing encounter in Kathua.
Sharing the video on X (Formerly Twitter), serial fake news peddler and propagandist account @RealBababanaras wrote, “Fresh gun battle in Kathua forests between security forces, terrorists. More details to follow”
Fresh gun battle in Kathua forests between security forces, terrorists
— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) April 1, 2025
More details to follow pic.twitter.com/F4ZBnzV4Rs
Another propaganda account, @FrontalForce, also shared the video and wrote, “Fresh gun battle in Kathua forests between security forces, terrorists. More details to follow.”
Fresh gun battle in Kathua forests between security forces, terrorists
— Frontalforce 🇮🇳 (@FrontalForce) April 1, 2025
More details to follow pic.twitter.com/pNYXrBMoJG
Several other users, influencers and propagandists have also disseminated the video and made similar claims. Their posts can be seen here, @Alpha_Intel7, @salmana32488832.
The truth about the video of Encounter in Kathua, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the video and claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis of the video. We found that the video was not recent but an old incident from September 2024.
To verify the claims made by the users and propagandists. We performed a reverse image search of some key frames from the viral video using Google Lens. This led us to media reports containing the same visuals. According to reports (1, 2) , the video dates back to September 2024, and was circulated during an encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Pathanateer area of the Mendhar sector, Poonch. It is not related to the ongoing encounter in Kathua.
#WATCH | J&K | Encounter is underway between security forces and terrorists in the Pathanateer area of the Mendhar sector of Poonch after rounds of fire were heard last night. Gunshots can be heard in the background.
— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2024
(Visuals deferred by unspecified time) https://t.co/M2OUKNqQD2 pic.twitter.com/ReZZs1DttD
Therefore, it is evident from D-Intent Data’s Fact Check that the video was not recent and unrelated to the recent encounter in Kathua.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) April 1, 2025
ANALYSIS: Misleading
FACT: A video featuring gunfire sounds in the background is being circulated with the claim that it depicts the recent encounter between security forces and terrorists in Kathua. However, we found that the video was circulated in September 2024, (1/3) pic.twitter.com/OSY7RXcbEq
Intent
Influencers and propagandists are circulating old videos with misleading claims to set their narrative over the ongoing encounter in Kathua.
Conclusion
Claim– The video depicts a fresh gun battle between security forces and terrorists in the Kathua forests.
Fact– The video was not recent; in fact, it was an older one, specifically related to a past encounter in Poonch.
Related Article: Fact Check: Terrorists ambush Indian army vehicle in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri, propagandists circulate misleading claims – D-Intent Data
