Tribune Fact Check: Indian media manufactures 'Karachi civil war'

The viral footage and fake news stories another attempt by Indian media to spread disinformation

Viral footage and news stories were widely shared by the Indian media purportedly showing a civil war like situation in Karachi between the army and Sindh’s police force.

#BREAKING : Heavy fire fight between Pak Army and Sindh Police is going on in Gulshan e Bagh area of #Karachi after Pak Army tried to take custody of a Superintendent of Sindh Police Md Aftab Anwar. #LocalSMreporting#Karachi_Referendum2020

— Dr. APR 🇮🇳🍁 (@drapr007) October 20, 2020

The Express Tribune analysed the footage and found it to be fake as the Indian media was quick to peddle its propaganda about the situation on the ground in the coastal city.

The International Herald, an Indian news outlet on Twitter claimed that 10 police officers in Karachi were killed in clashes between the Sindh Police and Rangers as a civil war had supposedly broken out.

10 Karachi police officers died in Clashes between police and Pakistan Army

— The International Herald (@TheIntlHerald) October 20, 2020

Below is a screenshot of a google search for Karachi civil war.

 

They went as far as to link the Maskan Chowrangi blast in Karachi, which is believed to have been caused by a gas leakage, to ‘unrest’ in the city.

#ImranUnderSeige - Civil War breaks out in Pakistan.

Clashes between Sindh Police and Pakistan Army.

Chorus for Imran Khan’s ouster grows.

4 Opposition Parties Join forces against the Imran Khan government.

Join @AnchorAnandN at #NationAt5. pic.twitter.com/wMkWPIB8pt

— CNNNews18 (@CNNnews18) October 21, 2020

It was also falsely reported that police and Rangers, who reached the scene for rescue efforts and to cordon off the area, began fighting amongst each other.

Something very alarming is happening in Karachi right now. Sindh govt has been overthrown by Rawalpindi Army HQ. Many clash reported in Sindh police and Pak army.

Pakistan Army Takes over All Police Stations in Karachi. pic.twitter.com/THXOzZwzDA

— My Vadodara (@MyVadodara) October 21, 2020

Anchors pushed the narrative even further as they had segments on talk shows discussing how the Pakistan Army had supposedly taken control of all police stations in the city.

Civil War like situation in Pakistan.

Army-Police clash in Karanchi, many officers are died.

Maximum Police Officers from Sindh have went on Leave. They are demanding Sindhu Desh.

Imran has ordered to play Pak National songs on Radio.

— Prashant Patel Umrao (@ippatel) October 20, 2020

When The Express Tribune asked Sindh Police officials about the veracity of the claims, it was vehemently denied