Pakistani Deputy PM Calls Pahalgam Terrorists ‘Freedom Fighters’, After 2 Pakistani Suspects Identified | WATCH

In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 people, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has sparked controversy by calling the attackers “freedom fighters.” The attack, which occurred on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir’s scenic Pahalgam area, is believed to have been carried out by Pakistani militants linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist group.

Pakistan’s Reaction to the Attack

The Pahalgam massacre has drawn sharp reactions from both the Indian government and the Pakistani leadership. According to Jammu and Kashmir police, at least two of the terrorists involved in the attack were identified as Pakistani nationals: Hashim Musa (alias Sulaiman) and Ali Bhai (alias Talha Bhai). Dar’s comments labeling the terrorists as “freedom fighters” have been met with widespread criticism, further intensifying tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

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?SHOCKING: Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister referred to the terrorists who killed the tourists in Pahalgam as “freedom fighters.”

PAKISTAN IS A TERRORIST STATE. PERIOD. pic.twitter.com/dEiA69ji7B

— BALA (@erbmjha) April 24, 2025

Dar’s Controversial Remarks

In a media interaction on Thursday, Dar defended the Pahalgam attackers, stating that their actions were justified as part of a larger “freedom struggle.” His comments come at a time when India has blamed Pakistan for being behind the attack, with intelligence suggesting that the LeT was the mastermind. The Indian government has repeatedly accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting terror groups operating in Kashmir and other regions.

Pakistan’s Strong Stand on the Indus Water Treaty

Adding fuel to the fire, Dar also criticized India’s recent decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, a landmark agreement governing the distribution of water from the Indus River system between India and Pakistan. India’s announcement to put the treaty “in abeyance” has been regarded by Pakistan as an “act of war.”

Dar stated, “Two hundred and forty million people in Pakistan need water… you cannot stop it. It is tantamount to an act of war. Any suspension or encroachment won’t be accepted.” This was in direct response to India’s actions, which have further complicated the already tense bilateral relations.

Pakistan’s Retaliatory Measures

In retaliation, Pakistan announced the suspension of all bilateral agreements with India, including the historic Simla Agreement of 1972. The Simla Agreement ended the war of 1971 and laid the foundation for India-Pakistan relations in the subsequent decades. Pakistan’s National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, issued a statement declaring that any attempt by India to divert the flow of water would be viewed as an act of war.

“We will make them pay through their noses. If our citizens are harmed by India, Indian citizens will not remain safe either. It will be tit-for-tat,” said Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, adding to the mounting rhetoric.

India Blames Pakistan for the Attack

The Indian government has formally blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack, citing the LeT’s involvement in the massacre. In an FIR filed by the Jammu and Kashmir police, the authorities confirmed that the attackers had been acting under instructions from their handlers across the border. The attack, which targeted innocent tourists, has sparked national outrage, with citizens across India demanding stronger counter-terrorism measures.

India’s accusations against Pakistan are not new. The LeT, based in Pakistan and supported by its intelligence agencies, has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks in Kashmir and other parts of India.

Growing Tensions

The Pahalgam terrorist attack has added a new layer of complexity to the already volatile relationship between India and Pakistan. With Dar’s controversial remarks and Pakistan’s harsh response to India’s decision on the Indus Water Treaty, the situation remains fraught with tension. The attack has further polarized public opinion on both sides of the border, and it remains to be seen how this situation will unfold in the coming weeks.

Both countries have now hardened their positions, and the international community watches closely as tensions continue to escalate in the region.