A viral fake news post on social media platform X has falsely alleged that Indian Army Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and her family were attacked by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) members in Gokak taluk, Belagavi district.
The post, made by user Anees Uddin, claimed that Colonel Qureshi and her son were assaulted, their house set on fire, and hate slogans raised suggesting Muslims have no place in India.
Another user, @JN_Araain, wrote: “RSS hate strikes again! Col Sophia Qureshi, Muslim Indian Army officer & spokesperson, targeted. Her Belagavi home attacked at 3 AM, son Sameer brutally beaten, house torched. Family now under Army protection in Delhi. #RSSViolence #HindutvaHate #JusticeForSophia.”
Another user @BattlesInsight wrote: “Col Sophia Qureshi’s home in Belagavi attacked by RSS extremists. Her son was beaten, house torched, and threats issued. Family moved to Delhi under Army protection due to rising threats.”
Busting this fake news, Belagavi Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Bhimashankar Guled denied the incident, confirming that the claims are completely fake and fabricated.
“It’s fake news. The handlers who posted this are from outside the country. We are trying to identify them. We have provided security to their family, and the investigation is underway,” said Additional SP SN Shruti.
Notably, these cyber attacks are aimed at creating trouble in India amid ongoing tensions with Pakistan. The fake news surrounding Colonel Sofiya Qureshi comes amid a flood of cyber attacks launched by Pakistani hackers.
According to a PTI report, Maharashtra Cyber Crime Police have identified seven groups responsible for launching over 15 lakh cyber attacks targeting critical infrastructure websites across India after the Pahalgam attack. Only 150 such attacks were successful, officials say.
It is to be noted that these groups use malware campaigns, distributed denial-of-service attacks, and GPS spoofing.
As a precaution, police have provided security to the senior Army officer’s home.
BJP leader BL Santhosh said in a post on X, “In a matter of 7 days, she is an icon for the young generation. Not just by press briefing but by her life and the legacy of her family. Daughter of Vadodara, daughter-in-law of Belagavi, Pride of Bharat.”
Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a senior officer in the Indian Army’s Corps of Signals, rose to national prominence during Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. She was one of the key spokespersons during the official briefing, representing the Army alongside Wing Commander Vyomika Singh and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. This marked a significant moment in Indian military history, as two women officers led the public face of India’s counter-terror strike.
Colonel Qureshi is married to Colonel Tajuddin Bagewadi, and the couple have a son. Her family in Konnur village expressed immense pride in her achievements. Speaking to the media, her father-in-law Gausasab Bagewadi said, “We were thrilled to see her on TV explaining the operation with such confidence and clarity.”
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