I Was Targeted for Reporting on the Indo-Pak Conflict
Telling the truth during wartime drew public attacks, online hate, and professional smears
Dear Readers,
The recent Indo-Pak conflict, which began with the deadly Pahalgam attack and escalated into cross-border military strikes, was one of the most tense and high-stakes episodes in South Asia in recent years.
It was also one of the toughest periods in my career as a journalist.
During those days, I filed multiple reports and tried to cover the full arc of the conflict. My coverage of Pakistan’s initial response was widely read.
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Later, my story on how Pakistan’s Chinese-made J-10C jets downed Indian aircraft drew even more attention—and, unfortunately, a lot of hate.
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Targeted for Reporting
Due to my reporting on this conflict, Indian journalist Palki Sharma from First Post publicly criticized me, calling me a "biased journalist." She claimed that foreign media outlets were relying on Pakistani reporters to frame the narrative around Kashmir and the decades-old conflict. She cited my work as an example.
The backlash was swift and aggressive. My inbox and Twitter feed were flooded with angry messages from Indian users. Some accused me of fabricating stories, others questioned my credibility just because I’m Pakistani.
But let me say this clearly: every detail in my reporting was verified. The claim that Pakistan’s J-10C jets shot down Indian aircraft—including a Rafale—was confirmed by both U.S. and French intelligence sources. This was not speculation. It was fact-based journalism.
Doing the Job, Not Taking Sides
I was simply doing my job—reporting the truth as I found it. The hate and targeting I faced were unfair, and they should not happen to any journalist. Unfortunately, in moments of national crisis, even honest reporting can become a target.
But this episode also reinforced something I’ve always believed: journalism is not about taking sides. It’s about informing the public, even when the truth is uncomfortable or inconvenient.
Thank you for reading—and for standing by journalists who do their work with honesty, even in hostile times.
Best Regards,
Adnan Aamir