Video Shows Accident in Pakistan, Not Taliban Testing U.S. Gun
The Claim
A video shows a member of the Taliban accidentally shooting himself while testing out a U.S. rifle.
News posted on
Emerging story
A graphic video is circulating on social media along with claims that it shows a member of the Taliban shooting himself in the head while testing out an American gun. The video has gained thousands of interactions on Facebook and Twitter.
Misbar’s Analysis
Misbar’s investigation found the claim to be false. The video does not show a member of the Taliban, but a man at a wedding in Pakistan. The man is shown in the video attempting to cock the weapon when it unexpectedly goes off.
The Pakistani newspaper, The Express Tribune reported on the incident on January 28, 2019. It says that it happened in Abbottabad during what was supposed to be celebratory gunfire before a wedding ceremony. The victim was transported to the Ayub Teaching Hospital but died from his injuries. The incident was also reported in Lead Pakistan and Everything.PK, without the accompanying video.
