In response to India’s strong retaliatory steps following the Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan has denied any involvement in the April 22 incident that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir. Islamabad has now called for an international investigation into the matter.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, told The New York Times that his country is “ready to cooperate” with any inquiry conducted by “international inspectors”.
India’s Strong Response to Pahalgam Attack
Following the deadly assault in Pahalgam, New Delhi implemented several punitive measures against Pakistan. These included the expulsion of Pakistani military attachés, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and immediate closure of the Attari land-transit post. India also instructed all Pakistani nationals who entered the country via the Attari border to leave by May 1.
Asif accused India of using the attack as a political tool. “New Delhi used the aftermath of the terror attack as a pretext to suspend the water treaty, and for ‘domestic political purposes,’” he said. He further claimed India acted “without any proof and investigation” to penalise Pakistan.
“We do not want this war to flare up, because flaring up of this war can cause disaster for this region,” Asif told the New York Times.
TRF Claims Responsibility; Asif Says LeT ‘Defunct’
The Resistance Front (TRF), widely considered a proxy of the banned Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. However, Asif insisted that the group no longer has operational capability.
He stated, “LeT was ‘defunct’ and had ‘no ability to plan or conduct’ attacks from Pakistan-controlled territory.”
Asif Admits to Pakistan’s Role in Past Terror Support
In a separate interview with Sky News, Asif acknowledged Pakistan’s historical role in supporting terrorist groups on behalf of Western powers.
When questioned by presenter Yalda Hakim about Pakistan’s track record, Asif responded, “Well, we have been doing this dirty work for the United States for about three decades, you know, and the West, including Britain.”
This admission comes amid heightened scrutiny of Pakistan’s counter-terror credentials following the Pahalgam attack.
J&K Police Identify Three LeT Operatives in Pahalgam Attack
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have released sketches and names of the three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists believed to be behind the Pahalgam attack. A reward of ₹20 lakh has been announced for information leading to each of their capture.
The suspects include:
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Adil Hussain Thoker, a local from Anantnag
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Ali Bhai, also known as Talha Bhai
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Hasim Musa, also known as Suleiman
According to police reports, while Thoker is a local militant, Musa and Talha are suspected to be Pakistani nationals.
