FO slams India’s ‘false narrative’ linking Pakistan to Pahalgam attack

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) on Thursday rejected what it called India’s propaganda campaign of “baseless allegations” linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident, and called on New Delhi to demonstrate responsible behavior and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and actions.

FO did not specify what statements or allegations it was referring to. However, an Indian media outlet claimed in a recent investigation that the mastermind behind the Pahalgam attack was taking refuge in Pakistan. He claimed that the suspect had a Pakistani identity card with an address in Rawalpindi.

Meanwhile, Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh issued a veiled warning to Pakistan a day ago.

On April 22 last year, unidentified assailants killed 26 people in Pahalgam in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India immediately blamed Pakistan without presenting evidence, an allegation Islamabad categorically rejected. Tensions escalated the next day, April 23, 2025, when India took a series of hostile steps, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty.

In a statement issued today, FO said, “At a time when Pakistan, with its international partners, is undertaking concerted diplomatic efforts for regional and international peace and security, it is deplorable that India is once again resorting to a campaign of baseless allegations and propaganda to link Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident. »

Terming the development as “unfortunate”, the statement said that amid an ongoing regional crisis, India remains focused on “using its false narrative against Pakistan for limited domestic political gains”.

“Having received a befitting response to its misplaced adventurism in the form of Operation Bunyanum Marsoos last year, such allegations constitute another chapter in India’s playbook to create a smokescreen for its continued support for terrorism in the region,” it adds.

FO said such propaganda campaigns cannot divert the international community’s attention from India’s continued occupation of IIOJK and its denial of the right to self-determination of Kashmiris, in violation of relevant United Nations resolutions.

Read also: A year later, India has not presented evidence on Pahalgam attack: Tarar

He further said such “gimmicks” could not cover up what he called India’s undermining of regional peace and security through “inflammatory rhetoric, repeated provocations and aggressive military posturing”, including its unilateral decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty, which he said violated international law.

“We hope that the international community will call on India to demonstrate responsible behavior and refrain from rhetoric and actions that could undermine ongoing efforts aimed at regional and international peace and security,” the statement concluded.

A day ago, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar marked the first anniversary of what he described as the “false flag operation Pahalgam”, saying India had failed to present evidence to support its allegations against Pakistan over the attack.

The situation further deteriorated after the Pahalgam attack in the early hours of May 7, 2025, when missile strikes hit six towns in Punjab and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), destroying a mosque and killing dozens of civilians, including women, children and elderly people.

In response, Pakistani armed forces shot down Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales.

Later, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in retaliation, targeting Indian military installations including missile storage sites, airbases and other strategic locations.

On May 10, 2025, United States President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following overnight diplomatic efforts. The deal was later confirmed by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Indian Foreign Minister.