Debunking Fake News: Indian Media's Propaganda on Bondi Attacker's Origins Exposed

Following the tragic Bondi Beach shooting that killed 15 people, a wave of misinformation has flooded social media, with specific elements of Indian media once again leading a coordinated propaganda campaign to falsely link the attackers to Pakistan. This pattern of disinformation, well-documented by international media, demonstrates a persistent effort to exploit global tragedies for geopolitical smears against Pakistan.

Verified information from Australian and international sources confirms the attackers were a father-son duo residing in New South Wales. The father, Sajid Akram, immigrated to Australia in 1998, while his son Naveed was born in Australia. Official statements have carefully avoided ascribing Pakistani nationality to them. Despite this, numerous Indian media reports and social media accounts falsely labelled the attackers as "Pakistani nationals" or "from Lahore".

This incident is not isolated. Indian media has a documented history of spreading false information during crises. A notable example occurred in May, when a major Indian Hindi news channel, Times Now Navbharat, broadcast a false report with dramatic graphics claiming "Indian forces enter into Pakistan," which was later completely debunked. International fact-checkers at the Reuters Institute noted that during that period, "a month’s worth of misinformation bombarded social media within a few hours," much of it amplified by Indian television.

The current false narrative about the Bondi attackers follows this established playbook. The campaign was so reckless that it ensnared an innocent Australian man named Naveed Akram, who had to publicly plead for people to stop circulating his photo falsely identifying him as the shooter.

While Pakistani authorities consistently act against terrorism, elements within Indian media continue their propaganda efforts, attempting to deflect from their own domestic challenges by maligning Pakistan. The international community must recognize and reject this pattern of fabricated news designed to sow discord and damage Pakistan's reputation.