2024 Protest Clip From Katra Falsely Linked to Pahalgam Terror Attack

This incident is from 2024 and shows locals protesting against a ropeway project in Katra.

Fact-Check: This video is from Katra from 2024 and has been falsely linked to recent Pahalgam terror attack.

(Source: The Quint) 

A video showing several uniformed men pulling away a man is being shared on social media to claim that it shows police arresting local leaders in Kashmir for allegedly backing terrorists following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

An archive of the post can be found here. 

(Source: X/Screenshot) 

(Archives of similar claims can be found here and here.)

Is the claim true?: No, the claim is false.

• The video is from Katra in Jammu. An incident occurred in 2024 when local workers protested against a suggested cable car initiative.

• Amid the demonstration, a confrontation occurred between police personnel and various protesters, resulting in the arrest of community leaders.

What we found: At first, we divided the video into multiple screenshots and ran a Google reverse image search on some of them.

• We came across the same video on Instagram. It was uploaded on 17 December 2024.

• It was uploaded with the caption, "The entire Katra is closed tomorrow. Everyone stand together. Now there should be no gondola in Katra." (sic.)

• This made it clear that the video was not related to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, as it predates the timeline.

• We then ran a relevant keyword search using the words mentioned in the logo of the viral video.

• We found the same video on YouTube page called Jammu Links News from 27 November 2024.

• Its description noted, "Two labour union leaders were arrested in Jammu’s Katra following the violent clashes between traders and police after the former protested the proposed ropeway line from Katra town to the Hindu shrine of Vaishno Devi in the area." (sic.)

• A report by Amar Ujala from November 2024 stated that protesters in Katra pelted stones in protest against a ropeway project, leading to the arrest of prominent leader Goda Pithu and his supporters.

• The incident sparked tension in the holy city, prompting strict law enforcement.

• Similarly, Greater Kashmir also reported on this incident in 2024.

• We did not find any reports which noted that Kashmiri leaders were arrested for supporting terrorists.

Conclusion: An old video from Katra dating back to 2024 is being falsely shared as Kashmiri leaders arrested for supporting terrorists post Pahalgam attack.

(Not convinced of a post or information you came across online and want it verified? Send us the details on WhatsApp at 9540511818 , or e-mail it to us at [e-mail] and we'll fact-check it for you. You can also read all our fact-checked stories here.)