2 arrested in Madhya Pradesh for inflammatory posts on Facebook following Pahalgam terror attack

BHOPAL: Two youths have been arrested in Madhya Pradesh's Damoh district for posting inflammatory content on Facebook following the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday, which could disrupt communal harmony. The incident has prompted heightened security alerts and increased digital surveillance across the state.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the station in-charge at Thana Kotwali Damoh, confidential information was received on April 23, 2025, regarding objectionable posts shared by two individuals—Wasim Khan and Tanveer Qureshi. The posts, which referenced the Pahalgam incident, were flagged as potentially inciting tension between communities.
Following this tip-off, the local police coordinated with the cyber cell to verify the claims. The FIR notes that during the monitoring process, specific posts on the Facebook accounts of both individuals were found to contain content that, in the opinion of law enforcement, had the potential to disturb public order. The screenshots of these posts and their URLs were documented and attached to the FIR as part of the investigation.
The FIR further details that the assessment was based on the nature of the language used in the posts, the timing of the content in relation to a sensitive national event, and its likely impact on inter-community relations. After careful evaluation, it was determined that there were sufficient grounds to register a case.
The youths have been charged under Sections 353(2), 196, 299, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)—provisions that relate to promoting enmity and disrupting public harmony.
SP Shrut Kirti Somwanshi stated that the arrests are part of the state’s preventive strategy to ensure that no individual misuses social media to create fear or disharmony among communities. The police acted after receiving credible information. The aim is not only to take action against these two individuals but also to deter others from posting harmful or provocative content online, police claim.
Police have reiterated that the investigation is ongoing, and further action will be taken if more individuals are found to have shared or promoted similar content. The administration has urged citizens to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and use social media responsibly—especially during times of heightened sensitivity.
Twenty eight people, mostly tourists, were killed on Tuesday in a terrorist attack in the Baisaran Valley, a scenic area in Pahalgam, Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.