Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Indian security forces chasing, and pinning down a terrorist in Srinagar.
Fact
Video shows a 2021 police chase in Brazil, not Srinagar.
A video of a car chasing and intercepting a man on a bike on a busy road is being widely shared on social media platforms. After obstructing the biker, a passenger from the car is seen kicking and pinning him down. Those sharing the video alleged that it shows security forces chasing and catching a terrorist in Srinagar. Newschecker found the claim to be untrue. The video shows a police chase in Brazil, and not Srinagar.
Multiple Facebook and Twitter users shared the footage claiming that a terrorist in Srinagar was “pinned down with one kick on his chest by an Indian soldier”
Such posts can be seen here, here, here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Video From France Shared As Church Set Ablaze In Manipur Amid Ongoing Conflict
Fact Check/Verification
A Yandex reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral footage led us to an Instagram post by @fozeassim, dated August 2, 2021. Carrying a longer version of the viral footage, it stated, “Don’t run away from PMPR!” We looked up PMPR on Google, and found it to be the Military Police of Parana in Brazil.
Taking a clue, we looked up keywords “Military Police Parana Chase Biker” in Portuguese on Google, and set the time frame of the search from August 1, 2021, to August 31, 2021. This led us to a report by TN Online, dated August 2, 2021, featuring a screengrab from the viral clip. It stated, “Military police (PM) were patrolling when a 17-year-old motorcyclist showed suspicious behavior. An attempt to approach was made by the police, however, the teenager undertook escape with the motorcycle. (translated from Portuguese via Google)”
Adding, “The PM managed to touch the front of the vehicle to the rear of the motorcycle, and he lost his balance. When he falls, the young man tries to get up and get the bike, but a policeman hits him in the chest. The offending motorcyclist falls, and is restrained by the PMs.” As per the report, the incident took place in Perola, a municipality in western Parana, Brazil.
A report by Istoe, dated August 2, 2021, elaborated on the incident and stated, “According to the incident report, the boy was taken to the police station, where he was accused of driving without a driver’s licence, disobeying a stop order, driving threatening pedestrians and other vehicles, and driving on the wrong side of the road. (translated from Portuguese via Google)”
A video report by RICtv, dated August 3, 2021, stated, “He (the biker) was running away from the police and crashed into the car. When he got up to give his foot he was hit by the feet of the policeman, who gave the fleeing a flying. The boy is underage, his father was called to answer for the situation(sic).”
Multiple other outlets also reported on the incident in August 2021. Such reports can be seen here, here and here.
Also Read: Muslim Mob Blocks Indian Army Vehicle, Ambulance? Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Video
Conclusion
Viral video claiming to show an Indian soldier pinning down a terrorist in Srinagar with just one kick is false. The video shows an incident that took place in Brazil.
Result: False
Sources
Instagram Post By @fozeassim, Dated August 2, 2021
Report by TN Online, Dated August 2, 2021
Report by Istoe, Dated August 2, 2021
YouTube Video By RICtv, Dated August 3, 2021
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
