Recently, social media has been abuzz with claims that the Indian Army has entered Bangladesh to assist former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in suppressing protests. Accompanying these claims are images of military vehicles, purportedly from the current situation in Bangladesh.
Fact-Checking the Images
ChannelIAM Fact Check investigated the authenticity of these claims and found significant discrepancies:
- Old Video: The video of the military truck is from 2022, predating the current unrest in Bangladesh. It does not relate to recent events.
- Tejgaon Airport Image: The image showing military vehicles is from Tejgaon Airport (Old Airport), Agargaon, Dhaka. This location is significantly distant from the Indo-Bangladesh border, approximately 290 kilometres away.
Verification of Sources
- Google Reverse Image Search: This search led us to a post by Fiola Lali, a national coordinator from the UK, who shared similar images in July 2024. However, this post and its content are from a different context, not related to the current claims.
- Media Reports: Reports from The Telegraph and Kashmir Reader discuss the presence of military vehicles in Dhaka but do not indicate any foreign military intervention.
- Facebook and Instagram Posts: Posts from June and May 2022 confirm that the video of the truck is outdated and irrelevant to the current situation.
Statements from Authorities
- Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): On July 20 and August 4, 2024, the MEA issued statements regarding the safety and return of Indian students from Bangladesh. These statements make no mention of Indian Army involvement in Bangladesh.
- Defence Ministry: No statements or confirmations from the Defence Ministry regarding Indian troops in Bangladesh have been issued.
ChannelIAM Fact Check confirms that the claim of the Indian Army entering Bangladesh to suppress protests is false. The images and videos circulating online are outdated or misattributed. Official statements from relevant authorities do not support this claim. As such, the assertion of Indian military involvement in Bangladesh is unfounded and should be disregarded.
