Pakistan has denied any role in the deadly terror attack that killed at least 26 people, mostly tourists, in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow on April 22. The attack happened on Tuesday in the popular tourist spot of Baisaran, Pahalgam. It took place on the same day when U.S. Vice President JD Vance was visiting India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, is suspected of being behind the April 22 attack in Pahalgam. Some reports suggest that Saifullah Kasuri, also known as Khalid, a senior commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, maybe the mastermind. However, these claims have not been officially confirmed.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, has denied any involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack, stating, "Pakistan has nothing to do with it." Speaking to a Pakistan TV channel, Asif suggested that the attack was a result of internal unrest in India, citing protests and conflicts in states like Nagaland, Manipur, Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh. He referred to the attack as "home-grown," claiming that it was a reaction to the Indian government’s actions.

Pak Army chief's statement

The terror attack in Pahalgam took place about a week after the head of Pakistan's army, General Asim Munir, said something that caused a lot of disagreement. He stated that Kashmir is like Pakistan's most important part, like a "jugular vein." However, India strongly disagreed with this statement.  

Speaking in Islamabad on April 16, General Munir said clearly, "Our position is very clear, it was our jugular vein, and it will remain our jugular vein. We will not forget it. We will not abandon our Kashmiri brothers in their brave fight." He was talking to a group of Pakistanis living abroad. 

Last week, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded to General Munir's words. They said, "How can something that belongs to another country be like a jugular vein? Kashmir is a part of India. The only thing Pakistan should do is leave the areas it has illegally taken over.

A Pakistani official, Asif, said that they do not support terrorism in any way. He also stated that terrorists should not target local people and that they are sure about this. However, Asif also said that if local groups are attacking the Indian government, then it becomes easy for Pakistan to be blamed.

Separately, a spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed sympathy for the families of those who died in the attack.The spokesperson said they are sad about the deaths of tourists in the attack in the Anantnag district of what Pakistan calls "Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir." They offered their condolences to the families of the dead and wished a quick recovery for those who were injured.

 

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