he banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has once again been exposed for spreading fake news, this time by circulating an outdated image to falsely claim the killing of Pakistan Army personnel in a recent operation in Bajaur. Security officials have confirmed that the image being shared by TTP-affiliated social media accounts purporting to show martyred soldiers from a recent engagement is in fact from an incident that occurred on August 19, 2024, and has no relevance to any current military operation.
“This is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public through fabricated claims. The photograph is old and has been maliciously presented out of context,” a senior security official stated, adding that no such incident has taken place in Bajaur as alleged by the terrorist group.
The circulation of this misleading image comes amid intensified counterterrorism operations in Bajaur and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the TTP has suffered significant losses. Facing operational collapse and strategic isolation, the group appears to be shifting its focus to digital propaganda and psychological warfare in a bid to project false narratives of success.
Analysts say that such tactics — using archival visuals to manufacture battlefield victories — are a hallmark of militant disinformation campaigns designed to confuse public perception and rally fragmented supporters.
Authorities have urged citizens, journalists, and digital media platforms to verify all content before sharing, particularly when it originates from known terrorist-linked accounts. “These fake claims are part of a broader information war. We urge the public to remain alert and refrain from amplifying enemy propaganda,” the official added.
The Pakistan Armed Forces continue to expose such deceptive tactics and remain committed to safeguarding national security across all domains — kinetic and informational alike.
