Claim: A viral Instagram story claims Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam blamed Pakistan Army for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Fact: Fake. No such post was found on Babar Azam’s official account.
What’s the Claim?
A viral screenshot of an Instagram story attributed to Babar Azam claims the cricketer blamed Pakistan’s Army Chief for supporting terrorism, calling the Pahalgam terror attack a result of “dirty politics.” The post went viral amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the April 22 terror incident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.
Fact-Check
Team FactCheck India analyzed the viral screenshot and cross-verified Babar Azam’s official Instagram account through access outside India (as it is currently geo-blocked). The story in question was not found on his official profile. Furthermore, the display picture in the viral image does not match the verified Instagram handle of the cricketer.
No credible Pakistani or international news outlet has reported any such political statement by Babar Azam. There is also no official press release or clarification from his management regarding such remarks, indicating the post is fabricated.
Earlier, similar fake posts were circulated in the name of other celebrities like Hania Amir, who later denied making any such statement.
Conclusion
The viral Instagram story blaming the Pakistan Army for the Pahalgam attack and attributed to Babar Azam is fake. The cricketer has made no such statement, and the viral screenshot is digitally manipulated.
Rating: ❌ False