Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday addressed the deadly attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir, firmly rejecting Indian accusations of cross-border terrorism and calling for diplomatic restraint amid rising tensions.
The press briefing, led by Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch and featuring remarks from Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, came in response to India’s sharp diplomatic measures following the April 22 assault. The attack, which occurred in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, left 26 people dead and at least 17 injured, many of them tourists.
Foreign Secretary Baloch expressed condolences to the victims’ families, describing the violence as “deeply tragic.” She dismissed India’s allegations linking Pakistan to the incident as “unfounded and politically motivated,” emphasizing Islamabad’s consistent opposition to terrorism in all its forms. “Pakistan categorically denies any involvement in the attack and urges for an impartial investigation,” Baloch stated.
India had announced a series of retaliatory actions, including suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals, tightening of border controls at the Attari-Wagah checkpoint, and threats to review the landmark 1960 Indus Waters Treaty. While New Delhi has not formally withdrawn from the treaty, officials have signaled their intent to reassess key agreements with Pakistan. Baloch warned that any disruption of the treaty would be viewed by Islamabad as a “serious provocation” with grave consequences.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism. In his remarks, Dar pointed to what he described as the “root causes” of unrest in Kashmir, citing India’s 2019 revocation of the region’s special status as a major driver of instability. Though Pakistani media outlets reported that some officials referred to militants as “freedom fighters,” there was no official confirmation that Dar himself used this term in Thursday’s address.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif went a step further, suggesting that the attack might have been a “false flag” operation aimed at diverting attention from India’s internal challenges. “Without credible evidence, such accusations against Pakistan are irresponsible and damaging,” Asif claimed, although no proof was provided to support the assertion.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s National Security Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened an emergency session and authorized reciprocal measures. Islamabad announced it would suspend visa exemptions for Indian nationals under the SAARC framework and consider broader revisions to bilateral agreements, including a review of the 1972 Simla Agreement.
The terror attack was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a group that Indian authorities link to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Indian police have released sketches of three suspected attackers — Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha — and announced a reward for information leading to their capture.
International leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have condemned the attack and called for calm. U.S. President Donald Trump also expressed solidarity with India, urging both nations to prioritize peace and dialogue.
Despite Islamabad’s efforts to deflect blame and advocate for de-escalation, skepticism remains high in New Delhi, where officials continue to accuse Pakistan of fostering cross-border militancy. With reports of fresh exchanges of fire across the Line of Control, the situation remains volatile, and prospects for a quick diplomatic thaw appear increasingly dim.
– with inputs from news outlets
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