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Pakistan Denounces Misinformation Linking It to Bondi Shooting

12/20/2025

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Tarar Defends Pakistan

Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan Information Minister, accused Israel and India of leading a disinformation campaign linking Pakistan to the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia that killed 15 people.
He said one attacker was identified as Pakistani, though both attackers were Indian and Australian in origin.
Tarar criticized media outlets for unverified reporting and called for apologies.
He stressed Pakistan's long-standing fight against terrorism, expressed solidarity with Australia, and condemned the misinformation.

Left

FactCheck Debunks Misinformation

The Bondi Beach attack sparked a surge of misinformation online, including doctored images and fabricated reports about the attackers' identities and conspiracy theories that it was staged.
AAP FactCheck debunked the falsehoods, including misidentified gunmen and misleading quotes attributed to political figures.
The misinformation campaign involved AI-generated content and foreign-operated Facebook pages.
The spread of these narratives raises concerns about public perception and the need for vigilance against misinformation.

History

Historical Context

The Bondi Beach shooting on December 14, 2025, resulted in 15 deaths during a Hanukkah celebration, marking one of Australia's deadliest terror incidents. This attack, linked to the Islamic State and motivated by antisemitism, occurred amid rising tensions following the Gaza war, prompting Australia’s security agencies to elevate the national terrorism threat level. The incident underscores the urgent need for effective counter-disinformation efforts.

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Tarar Defends Pakistan

Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan Information Minister, accused Israel and India of leading a disinformation campaign linking Pakistan to the Bondi Beach shooting in Australia that killed 15 people.
He said one attacker was identified as Pakistani, though both attackers were Indian and Australian in origin.
Tarar criticized media outlets for unverified reporting and called for apologies.
He stressed Pakistan's long-standing fight against terrorism, expressed solidarity with Australia, and condemned the misinformation.

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