Fact-Check: Viral claim showing Pahalgam attack suspect sketch resembling Babar Azam is FAKE

A viral image circulating on social media falsely claims that a suspect sketch released in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack in Indian Occupied Kashmir resembles ex-Pakistani cricket team captain Babar Azam.

The attack, which took place on Tuesday in the popular tourist destination, left 26 people dead and has heightened regional tensions.

On Wednesday, multiple posts on platforms like Facebook and forums such as Siasat.pk shared an edited screenshot purportedly from Indian news outlet India Today, suggesting that one of the suspect sketches bore a striking resemblance to Babar Azam.

Some users even alleged that the cricketer was involved in the incident.

However, a detailed fact-check involving reverse image searches and AI-based tampering detection tools debunked the claim. Tools like Sight Engine reported a 95% likelihood of facial manipulation, while Fake Image Detector flagged the image as likely AI-generated or digitally altered.

The original sketch, verified via India Today’s actual post, does not resemble Babar Azam in any way. The claim has been confirmed as false and misleading, part of a broader wave of disinformation circulating in the wake of the deadly incident, which has already triggered diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.