Pakistan hits back: Foreign Minister Dar dares India to validate Pahalgam attack accusations
In a press conference following a high-level National Security Committee meeting, Pakistan's Foreign Minister (and Deputy PM) Ishaq Dar accused India of playing a “blame game”, challenging its neighbour to present proof of Pakistan's involvement in the recent Pahalgam attacks on civilian tourists that left more than 25 dead, as per a Dawn report.
“India has time and again played the blame game and if there is proof of Pakistan’s involvement [in Pahalgam], please share it with us and the world,” he declared.
On April 22, a group of gunmen opened fire on tourists, killing as many as 26—all of whom were men from across India, as well as one foreigner from Nepal—and leaving 17 injured. This was reportedly the worst attack of its kind since the terrifying Pulwama incident of February 2019, for which a proxy terrorist group, The Resistance Front (TRF)—an offshoot of the infamous Pakistan-origin Lashkar-e-Taiba—claimed responsibility.
The brutal, unprovoked act of terrorism ignited anger across the country, prompting it to swiftly shut its borders with Pakistan, downgrade diplomatic ties, and suspend the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) of 1960, an important treaty brokered by the World Bank after nine years of talks. Pakistan responded by closing its airspace for Indian planes and reportedly urging Indian citizens in Pakistan to exit within 48 hours.
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This series of measures were taken to counter the “reckless and irresponsible behaviour of India, which disregards international conventions, UN Security Council Resolutions and international obligations at will,” the statement released after Pakistan's NSC meet reportedly read.
At the press conference, Dar added that Pakistan had noted the arrival of some “foreign nationals” in Srinagar, who were being monitored by Pakistan's intelligence agencies.
“We know that Indian intelligence is supporting them and the foreigners are trying to export IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices). You can imagine where they are trying to export them,” he said, stating that Pakistan’s armed forces were ready to respond to any challenge.
“We are prepared in regard to defence. If anyone tries to attempt any adventure, then they’ve tried in the past as well [and failed] so this time around it will be even worse for them.”
“We have categorically condemned this [attack]. We condemn all forms of terrorism anywhere in the world without any hesitation, be it in India,” said Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. He also added that Pakistan was the greatest victim of terrorism in the world.
He claimed that terrorism was being exported to Pakistan, saying that whatever was emanating from Afghanistan or happening in Balochistan “clearly shows the footprints and fingerprints of India”.
Citing the example of Indian national Kulbhushan Sudhir Jadhav, he said that there were a series of incidents in the past 15 to 20 years which proved that India played a part in terrorism in Pakistan.
“If they want to ramp up its scale then we are ready for that, let no have any doubt. We are not about to fold to any international pressure when it comes to our soil and security,” Asif declared.
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