On 22 April 2025, a terrorist attack targeting tourists took place in Pahalgam, Kashmir. The Resistance Front (TRF), a terrorist organisation, initially claimed responsibility for the attack. However, on 25 April 2025, TRF issued a fresh statement on its social media platforms, denying any involvement in the Pahalgam incident and distancing itself from the earlier claim. The attackers had indiscriminately opened fire on tourists in the Baisaran area, popularly known as Mini Switzerland. Several media reports stated that survivors recalled how the terrorists asked the victims about their religion before shooting them dead (here, here). According to reports, the attack claimed the lives of 26 people (here, here).
In this context, a video featuring a man claiming to be a senior officer in the Indian Army (here, here, here and here) is circulating widely on social media. In the video, he identifies himself as Ashok Kumar and alleges that the Pahalgam terror attack was not carried out by terrorists but was orchestrated for political purposes. Let’s examine the authenticity of this claim.
Claim: A senior Indian Army officer named Ashok Kumar is expressing doubts about the Pahalgam terror attack.
Fact: The man featured in the viral video is actually Malik Kanji from Pakistan, a drama artist and homeopathic doctor. Indian Army officials have confirmed that he has nothign to do with the Indian Armed Forces. Hence, the claim is FALSE.
We searched for credible information regarding this claim but found no reports from any reputable national or international media outlets.
To uncover the truth, we performed a reverse image search on Google, which revealed that the video was first uploaded on 24 April 2025 (archive) by a Pakistani Twitter handle named ‘War_Analysts’. Several users identified the man in the video as Malik Kanji from Pakistan. Following this lead, we conducted further searches and found LinkedIn, Instagram, and X (Twitter) profiles that matched the individual seen in the viral clip. All these accounts were under the name Malik Kanji, and the profile pictures clearly matched the man featured in the video.
According to the information on his LinkedIn profile, Malik Kanji is a Pakistani businessman, senior HR professional, homeopathic doctor, Reiki practitioner, and drama artist.
Using the available data, we conducted an advanced Google search, which led us to Malik Kanji’s resume (biodata). The document lists Karachi, Pakistan, as his hometown and includes details of identity cards issued by Pakistani authorities, as well as his connections with Pakistani military officials.
Furthermore, the phone number listed in the biodata was found to be active in Pakistan. The cover photo on the associated WhatsApp account also features Malik Kanji.
When Vishvas News reached out to the Indian Army PRO regarding the viral video, the spokesperson confirmed that the individual is not part of the Indian Army and that the video originated from Pakistan. Based on the available evidence, it is clear that the person in the viral video is from Pakistan.
To sum up, the person in the viral video discussing the Pahalgam attack is not an Indian soldier, but a Pakistani dramatist.
