Indian Diplomats Unharmed in Jalalabad; Death Claims are Fake

This story was originally published by PTI News, and republished by The Probe as part of the Shakti Collective.

Indian Diplomats Safe, Jalalabad Attack Claims are False

Multiple social media users recently shared posts claiming that three high-ranking Indian diplomats were killed in an attack on Indian consulate vehicle in Afghanistan's Jalalabad on December 24. However, the PTI Fact Check Desk, in its investigation, found the claim to be false. In fact, an Afghan national working at the Indian consulate in Jalalabad sustained injuries when unidentified persons opened fire at his vehicle the same day. 

Notably, India had long closed operations at the Indian consulate in Jalalabad post the fall of the Ashraf Ghani government. Only a number of local staffers are presently working at the mission.

Claim

An X (formerly Twitter) user on December 24 claimed that three high-ranking Indian diplomats were killed in an attack in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad. The post has garnered over 20k views so far. 

Here's the link, archive link, and screenshot of the post. 

Investigation

On running the viral screenshot through Google Lens, the Desk found that similar claim was shared by several other social media users. Two such posts can be seen here and here, and their archived versions can be viewed here and here, respectively. 

Below is the screenshot of one such post by a user on X (formerly Twitter).

In the next part of investigation, the Desk carried out a customised keyword search on Google, but could not find any authentic news report, substantiating the viral claim.  

However, the search results led us to a PTI report carried by The Print on December 24, whose headline read: “Afghan staffer at Indian consulate in Jalalabad injured in attack”. 

Here is the link to the post:

“An Afghan national working at the Indian consulate in Jalalabad sustained injuries on Tuesday when unidentified persons opened fire at his vehicle, people familiar with the matter said,” read a section of the report. 

It further stated that India had closed operations at the consulate around three-and-a-half years back but a number of local staffers were working at the mission.

On further scanning the search results, we came across another report on the incident by Hindustan Times. 

Here's the link and screenshot of the news report. 

None of the reports mentioned anything about any casualty or any Indian official suffering injuries in the attack. 

Subsequently, the Desk concluded that the claim of three Indian officials being killed in an attack in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad was fake. 

CLAIM

Three Indian diplomats killed in an attack in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad.

FACT

One Afghan staffer working at Indian consulate was injured in the December 24 attack.

CONCLUSION

Multiple social media users claimed that three Indian diplomats were killed in attack in attack in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad on December 24. In its investigation, the Desk found the claim to be false.

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This Fact Check story was originally published by PTI News, as part of the Shakti Collective. Except for the headline/excerpt/opening introduction para, this story has not been edited by The Probe staff.