Bandipora Police in Jammu and Kashmir have arrested a man for uploading and circulating fabricated information about a terrorist attack in Kulgam through a Facebook page, authorities confirmed on Sunday, 15 November 2026. The accused allegedly claimed that three CRPF personnel were killed in the attack — a false claim that police say could have triggered public panic and destabilised the security environment.

What Happened

Terrorists opened fire on a CRPF naka party of the 46th Battalion at Akhran in Kulgam on 11 November 2026. Three CRPF personnel were injured in the attack — none were killed. In the days that followed, a Facebook page operating under the name 'Bandipora Wala' posted content falsely claiming that the three personnel had died, according to the police statement.

Bandipora Police identified the page operator as Momin Ul Islam, son of Mohd Maqbool Bhat, a resident of Gund Dachina, Bandipora. Following swift verification, an FIR was registered and the accused was placed under arrest.

The FIR and Legal Action

FIR No. 187/2026 has been registered at Police Station Bandipora under relevant sections of law, the police statement said. The misleading content has since been removed from the Facebook page. The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Information Technology (IT) Rules, and applicable defamation statutes.

Under current Indian law, creating or circulating fabricated content — particularly in relation to security incidents — can attract charges linked to public disorder, mischief, and defamation. Depending on severity, offenders face substantial fines and imprisonment.

Why This Case Matters

The Kulgam attack occurred in an already sensitive security zone, making the rapid spread of false casualty figures especially consequential. Police noted that the circulation of such content 'could create unnecessary panic, disturb peace and public confidence, and adversely affect the overall security environment,' according to their official statement.

This is not an isolated pattern. Security forces and law enforcement agencies across Jammu and Kashmir have repeatedly flagged social media misinformation as a force-multiplier for unrest, particularly in the aftermath of militant incidents. The speed with which the page was traced and taken down reflects an increasingly systematic counter-misinformation capability within district police units.

Police Advisory to the Public

Bandipora Police have appealed to citizens to refrain from creating, sharing, or forwarding unverified information — especially on security-related matters. Residents have been advised to rely exclusively on verified official sources. Under the updated IT Rules, social media intermediaries are required to remove patently false or misleading content on notice and must maintain active grievance redressal mechanisms.

With the accused now in custody and content removed, investigators are expected to determine whether the post was an act of careless sharing or deliberate disinformation targeting the security climate in the valley.