On the same day when a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed at least 26 people, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif brought up the Kashmir issue during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

During a joint press conference, Sharif thanked Turkey for always supporting Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir. This happened just a few hours after the deadly attack in Pahalgam.

According to a report by Pakistan-based Express Tribune, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during a joint press conference in Ankara on April 22, called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and strongly condemned the killing of 50,000 innocent people. He also thanked Turkey for its continued support of the Kashmir issue.

Meanwhile, although there is no official confirmation yet on who carried out the Pahalgam terror attack, some social media reports claim that the Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, has taken responsibility.

Erdogan stands for Pakistan

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has supported Pakistan’s stand on the Kashmir issue in the past as well. During his two-day visit to Pakistan in February 2025, he once again raised the matter. He stated that the Kashmir issue should be resolved through dialogue, in line with UN resolutions, and concerning the wishes of the people of Kashmir.

India had strongly responded to his remarks. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) firmly stated that Jammu and Kashmir are an "integral part of India" and that any comments on India’s territorial integrity are “unacceptable.”

In February 2025, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded strongly to Turkish President Erdoğan's remarks on Kashmir. He said, “We reject such objectionable comments on matters that are internal to India. We have lodged a strong protest with the Turkish ambassador. Such unwarranted statements on India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty are unacceptable. Jammu and Kashmir are integral parts of India.”

The Pahalgam terror attack, which happened in South Kashmir's Anantnag district, a popular tourist spot occurred on a day of high-level international visits. US Vice President JD Vance was in India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on a state visit to Saudi Arabia. In response to the attack, PM Modi shortened his visit and arrived back in Delhi on Wednesday morning.