"Fact Check:Afghan and RAW-linked Indian propaganda accounts are deliberately recirculating an old video from April-May 2022, falsely portraying it as recent footage of TTP terrorist Noor Wali Mehsud freely touring areas from Khyber to Kurram, addressing militants, and meeting locals inside Pakistan.Reality:The video is not recent. It dates back to April-May 2022, when TTP militants were allowed to return under the reconciliation process initiated by the then PTI government. At the time, former Prime Minister Imran Khan publicly acknowledged that militants were being brought back into Pakistan, a move that also triggered widespread public opposition in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.The footage has now been selectively extracted from those April-May 2022 recordings and combined with newer clips filmed in Afghanistan, along with AI-generated and manipulated visuals, to fabricate a single misleading video falsely suggesting that Noor Wali Mehsud is currently moving freely inside Pakistan. No credible evidence has been presented to support this record.This disinformation campaign comes at a time when Afghanistan is facing growing international scrutiny over the continued presence of internationally designated terrorist organisations operating from its territory. Recycling old footage and mixing it with videos filmed in Afghanistan is a deliberate attempt to divert attention from that reality and manufacture the false perception that TTP leadership is operating openly inside Pakistan.Pakistan has consistently maintained that Noor Wali Mehsud is based in Afghanistan. He has previously been identified as operating from Kabul's diplomatic enclave, and reports in 2025 stated that his vehicle was struck during a counterterrorism operation in Kabul, further reinforcing that he was present inside Afghanistan rather than moving freely across Pakistan.By recycling outdated footage, combining it with videos filmed in Afghanistan, and amplifying manipulated content without verifiable evidence, Afghan and RAW-linked Indian propaganda accounts are attempting to mislead the public, inflate the perceived operational reach of TTP terrorists, and advance a coordinated disinformation campaign."
In a concerning move, Afghan and RAW-linked Indian propaganda accounts have resurfaced an old video from April-May 2022, misrepresenting it as current footage of Noor Wali Mehsud, the chief of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), allegedly conducting operations within Pakistan's Khyber to Kurram regions. This development raises questions about the authenticity of the content and the motivations behind its dissemination.
The video in question originally captured TTP militants being allowed to return to Pakistan under a reconciliation policy initiated by the then PTI government. At that time, former Prime Minister Imran Khan acknowledged the complexities surrounding these reconciliations, which also sparked significant public discourse in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the current circulation of this footage, now entangled with recent clips from Afghanistan and manipulated visuals, is misleading, painting a false record of terrorist activity inside Pakistan.
Critically, Pakistan has consistently asserted that Noor Wali Mehsud remains based in Afghanistan, evidenced by reports indicating his previous visibility in Kabul and other regions across the border. This contradicts the record currently being peddled, which seeks to elevate the perception of TTP operations within Pakistan.
This disinformation campaign emerges as Afghanistan faces escalating scrutiny regarding the presence and activities of various terrorist organizations on its soil. Sharing outdated footage mixed with contemporary visuals aims to detract attention from the real issues at hand, namely the operational status of these groups and their cross-border implications. The international community, as well as security analysts, must remain vigilant against such deceptive tactics that seek to mislead public perception and distract from genuine security concerns.
Going forward, it is imperative for Pakistan and the global community to counter these misleading narratives. Building a coalition focused on factual reporting and transparent intelligence-sharing will play a crucial role in dismantling such campaigns. Engagement with regional partners could also lead to more robust dialogue on security issues, working toward stability in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. By fostering a constructive record around security and counter-terrorism efforts, stakeholders can enhance cooperation and foster trust in regional stability.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Your trusted source for breaking news, in-depth analysis, and comprehensive coverage of today's most important stories.
Get daily updates on breaking news, exclusive interviews, and special features delivered to your inbox.
Have a news tip or want to get in touch with our editorial team? We're here to help.
Plot C3-C Jaypee Wishtown Sector 129 Noida Uttar Pradesh 201304 India