Pahalgam Terror Attack: India’s shock at Pakistan’s denial, Delhi’s anger not shown by the brutal
A day later, when the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, shocked the whole country, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Asif came on TV and said that his country is not involved in this incident in any way. However, Indian agencies and security establishment do not agree with this statement of Pakistan, because in the initial investigation some evidences have been found which point towards the fact that some “foreign citizens” were also involved in the attack.
Bloody attack: 25 tourists and one local citizen killed
On Tuesday, in an open field in Pahalgam, where tourists usually go for a stroll, some heavily armed terrorists suddenly opened fire. In this incident at least 25 tourists and one local resident lost their lives. This attack is being considered the most horrific civil attack since 26/11.
Based on the statements of eye-witnesses and some injured survivors, it has been found that four terrorists came in camouflage uniforms. There is doubt about two of them that they were foreigners.
Pakistan’s statement: “We have nothing to do with it”
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Asif said, “We have nothing to do with this attack. We reject every form of terrorism, wherever it may be.” He also said that Pakistan itself is a victim of terrorism and his country is against any kind of genocide.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson also gave a statement: “We are concerned about the loss of lives of tourists in the attack in Anantnag district. We express our condolences and pray for the health of the injured.”
But why is India suspicious?
Indian officials feel that this is just a diplomatic statement. Because the responsibility for this attack has been taken by “The Resistance Front” (TRF) – which is believed to be a shadow group of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). TRF has taken responsibility for several attacks in some salons in the past, but this time the intensity and timing of the attack has shaken the government.
Question on timing: General Munir’s statement and the attack after that
Last week, Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir had said during an event in Islamabad, “Kashmir is our city. We will not forget it. We are with our Kashmiri brothers in their war.” His statement gave rise to new tensions, which were immediately answered by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “How can a foreign element be called a ‘jugular vein’? Kashmir is a part of India. Pakistan has only one relationship with Kashmir – vacation in the territories illegally occupied by them.”
High-Level Meetings: Delhi’s Night-long Thinking
When PM Narendra Modi returned from Saudi Arabia, he immediately held an emergency meeting at the Delhi airport. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, NSA Ajit Doval, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar joined him. According to sources, the government is now considering all kinds of strategic and security options.
Local Impact: Tension in Kashmir
Heavy deployment of Army and CRPF is being seen in the areas around Pahalgam. Locals, who are already worried about terrorism, are now living in the shadow of more fear. Eyewitness reports have said that the attackers opened fire on the tourists without any warning. This did not seem to be their first target – rather it was a carefully planned act.
Was this attack part of Pakistan’s strategy?
Many defense experts believe that such an attack so soon after General Munir’s statement could not have been a mere coincidence. This could be a new strategy of Pakistan, in which “plausible deniability” is being created by using proxy groups like TRF – in which Pakistan may not be directly involved, but in reality it is a part of the masterplan.
Global Reaction: Voice for Peace and Sympathy with India
America, France and UK have condemned this attack and expressed solidarity with India. United Nations Secretary-General also said in a statement that “Terrorism in all its forms must be condemned and perpetrators should be brought to justice
What will be India’s Reaction?
Now everyone’s eyes are on the next step of the government. Will India plan any surgical response? Will there be more pressure against Pakistan on international forums? Or will the internal security apparatus be made more robust?
Whatever it may be, the Pahalgam attack has once again shown that the fear of terrorism is not just confined to the border – it has entered inside us. And this time the targets were those people who had come just to take back memories of a beautiful place.
This attack was not just an attack, it was a message – to which India will definitely respond.