New Delhi: In its first official response to the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead, Pakistan has denied any involvement, claiming it “rejects terrorism in all its forms” and asserting that the attack had no connection to the country.
Speaking to reporters, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, “Pakistan has no link with the Pahalgam terror attack.” He further suggested that the attack stemmed from internal discontent in India, stating that it was a “home-grown” act, driven by unrest across several Indian states.
“The Indian government is facing agitation in multiple regions—from Nagaland to Kashmir, and Manipur to Chhattisgarh,” Asif said. “This attack is the outcome of domestic discontent. Pakistan does not support terrorism of any kind, and we believe civilians should never be targets.”
However, the minister added that Pakistan is often blamed in such instances as a political diversion. “When local groups act against the Indian government, it becomes convenient to point fingers at Pakistan,” he claimed.
A spokesperson from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also commented on the incident, offering condolences to the families of the victims. “We are concerned by the tragic loss of lives in Anantnag district, in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement read. “We extend our condolences to the bereaved families and wish the injured a speedy recovery.”
The terror attack occurred on Tuesday afternoon near the popular tourist destination of Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam. Gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists, killing 26 and injuring several others. The victims included two foreign nationals—one from the UAE and another from Nepal—as well as tourists from various Indian states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. At least one person from Gujarat, three from Tamil Nadu, and two from Maharashtra are among those injured.
This is the deadliest attack in Jammu and Kashmir since the Pulwama terror strike in 2019, and it has drawn sharp condemnation from the Indian government, international leaders, and the global community.
While Pakistan has distanced itself from the attack, Indian intelligence sources have pointed to the involvement of ‘The Resistance Front’ (TRF), believed to be a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), though an official confirmation is still pending. A major investigation is underway, with the National Investigation Agency (NIA) now on the ground assisting with the probe.
