Pakistan Exposes Indian Propaganda Claiming Hafiz Abdul Rauf’s Death in Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos

Pakistan’s military has categorically debunked Indian media claims that Hafiz Abdul Rauf, brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, was killed during Pakistan’s Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos, a retaliatory campaign launched against Indian military targets. In a press conference, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry presented a recent video statement from Rauf, proving he is alive and accusing India of orchestrating a deliberate propaganda campaign to malign Pakistan on the global stage.

The Indian narrative, amplified by media outlets and officials, including a photograph displayed by Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami on Sky News, alleged that Rauf, a US-designated global terrorist and senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, was killed in Pakistan’s Muridke during India’s Operation Sindoor. The photograph purportedly showed Rauf leading funeral prayers for terrorists killed in the strikes, attended by Pakistan Army personnel. However, DG ISPR clarified that Rauf is a civilian associated with a Pakistani political party, and the images were misused to falsely link him to terrorism. “India’s claims are baseless and part of a pattern of accusing Pakistan without evidence,” Chaudhry stated, noting that the video evidence conclusively disproves India’s assertions.

Operation Bunyan-ul-Marsoos, named after a Quranic verse symbolizing a “solid wall of lead,” was launched on May 10 in response to India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted alleged terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan claims the operation destroyed key Indian military sites, including a BrahMos storage facility in Jammu, though India has dismissed these as exaggerated propaganda. The operation followed weeks of escalating tensions, sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, which India attributes to Pakistan-backed groups.

Social media on X reflects polarized sentiments, with Pakistani users praising the military’s swift rebuttal of India’s claims, one post stating, “DG ISPR’s evidence has shattered India’s lies about Hafiz Abdul Rauf.” Conversely, Indian users continue to circulate the funeral images, insisting they expose Pakistan’s ties to terrorism. The DG ISPR’s press conference also highlighted India’s alleged history of fabricating narratives to deflect from its own actions, citing the misuse of Rauf’s identity as a case in point.

Analysts suggest India’s claims may be an attempt to justify its cross-border strikes and shift international focus from the escalating conflict. The presence of senior Pakistani military and civilian officials at the Muridke funeral, as reported by Indian media, has fueled further debate, though Pakistan maintains these were mischaracterized to fit India’s narrative. The ongoing information war underscores the deep mistrust between the two nations, with both sides leveraging media to shape global perceptions.

As the US-brokered ceasefire, effective since May 10, faces strain with reported violations, the international community urges de-escalation. Pakistan’s rebuttal of India’s claims aims to counter what it calls a smear campaign, but the incident highlights the challenges of verifying information in a highly charged conflict. With both nations accusing each other of propaganda, the truth remains contested, leaving global observers wary of further escalation.