At the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) weekly briefing on June 9, 2026, spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters that <cite index="14-4,14-5">there is "a pattern of fake news and videos emanating from Pakistan" and that it is "a desperate attempt by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and deflect attention away from its human rights abuses."</cite> He also <cite index="15-5,15-6">cited reports of severe police brutality in the region, with several killed and many injured, and urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable</cite>.

ABP Live's headline tracks these remarks accurately. The MEA statement itself is on record with multiple wire agencies including ANI and Republic, and matches video of the briefing carried by DD India and ANI.

**What is happening in PoK**

The Indian statement followed days of escalating unrest in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. According to Dawn, <cite index="7-4,7-5">at least seven civilians were killed during Sunday's clash between police and the newly proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Rawalakot, with the Poonch Commissioner confirming the toll a day after four law-enforcement personnel also died</cite>. Al Jazeera reported that <cite index="12-15,12-16">at least 11 people were killed and dozens wounded, including police officers and civilians, in violence that erupted after the AJK Supreme Court ruled that 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment</cite>.

The Pakistani government's own move to ban the protest group is documented: <cite index="12-7">on Friday, the regional government designated the JAAC as a proscribed group under an anti-terror law, and advised tourists to leave the region before June 9</cite>. The Express Tribune notes that <cite index="9-4,9-5,9-6,9-7">AJK Police said three JAAC-linked individuals were killed during Sunday's protests and alleged armed JAAC members opened fire on law enforcement, while JAAC disputes this account and claims security forces used tear gas and fired toward the hospital</cite>.

Grievances driving the protests are long-standing. <cite index="10-7,10-8,10-9">The immediate trigger was a decision to reserve 12 seats in the 45-member legislative assembly for refugees residing outside Kashmir; JAAC argues this dilutes local representation, and the group has also raised inflation, electricity shortages, unemployment and governance concerns</cite>. <cite index="10-12">The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed concern over the situation and questioned outlawing JAAC under anti-terror laws</cite>.

**On the "fake news" claim**

India has previously pointed to manipulated content originating from Pakistani accounts. In May 2026, <cite index="16-1,16-2,16-3,16-4">the PIB Fact Check unit flagged a digitally manipulated video misusing visuals of Randhir Jaiswal to falsely claim India had lost four Rafale jets, and rejected the claims as fake</cite>. That establishes at least one documented instance underpinning MEA's broader characterisation, though MEA did not on June 9 publicly itemise the specific fake videos it had in mind on the PoK protests.

**Bottom line**

The headline is an accurate summary of an on-record MEA statement, and the underlying facts about a deadly crackdown, an internet shutdown and the banning of JAAC are corroborated by Pakistani and international outlets. Where reporting could improve: Indian coverage should clearly distinguish the MEA's diplomatic framing from independently verified casualty figures, and identify which specific videos were judged "fake."