Viral image of massive number of coffins of Shia victims from Parachinar violence

Rating Justification

The iVerify Pakistan team has reviewed this content and determined that it is false.

To reach this conclusion, the iVerify Pakistan team conducted a reverse image search to investigate the viral picture.

Multiple users since at least July 28, 2024, were sharing an image of a large procession of coffins on social media platform X, claiming that they were Shia victims of recent violence in Parachinar. However, the image is actually of a mock procession in Karachi from 2009.

Deadly clashes took place in different areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district in July 2024, claiming 49 lives and leaving more than 200 people injured. Kurram itself is comprised of three divisions: upper, central, and lower. Parachinar lies in the upper belt and is a Shia-majority town, with the Turi and Bangash tribes making up most of the population. On the hilltops surrounding the valley are the Sunni tribes.

A dispute between two tribes can often expand into a bigger problem, perpetuated by extremist organisations. Social and demographic changes over the years — the Iranian revolution, the entry of Sunni Afghan refugees and the influx of weapons during the Afghan jihad are among the factors that have also contributed to the intensity and frequency of sectarian violence.

Such incidents are reported in the district every few years, with Parachinar emerging as the epicentre of the violence.

HOW IT STARTED

A Pakistani account on July 28 shared an image on social media platform X of a large number of bloodied coffins being carried down a street. The caption for the post said: “Why don’t you speak for my right? Did you get blisters on your tongue?” and also used the hashtag “Parachinar under attack”.

The post gained 19,500 views.

On July 29 an image was shared on social media platform X by an Iranian user, showing coffins draped in red-stained cloth being carried alongside another image of a chaotic scene with injured individuals on the ground and vehicles ablaze.

The caption for the post said: “Takfiris have beheaded Shias in Parachinar, Pakistan!!!!! Don’t be silent about this crime!”

Takfiri refers to Islamist militants who often accuse their victims of being infidels.

The post gained 12,500 views.

The same image was widely shared by others, with similar claims of Shia Muslims being buried after being killed during the violence in Parachinar, as can be seen here by an Indian account, here, here by ex-Indian Muslim Zafar Heretic and here.

METHODOLOGY

A fact check was initiated to determine the veracity of the claim due to its virality and because it came amid a period of sectarian violence in Kurram district which raised concerns and worry in the country’s Shia community.

A reverse image search conducted to further investigate the image of the coffins led to a file photo from December 30, 2009, by AFP photographer Asif Hussain.

The caption for the photograph said: “Pakistani Shia Muslims carry mock coffins during a mourning procession in Karachi on December 30, 2009.”

The same image was also found to be shared over the years by various outlets to demonstrate processions during Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Lunar calendar, in different parts of the country, as can be seen here in an October 22, 2015, feature by Daily Pakistan.

FACT-CHECK STATUS: FALSE

The claim regarding a viral image showing a large number of coffins of Shia victims killed during violence in Parachinar is false.

The image is actually of a mock funeral from a Muharram mourning procession in Karachi dated December 30, 2009.

Evidence and References

AFP file photo from Karachi, December 30, 2009:
https://www.afpforum.com/AFPForum/Search/ViewMedia.aspx?mui=1&hid=55AC97172840B8A7939070471FB9480BFEE3E42EDA3CC7ED993FBF88DFBEBEEB