Tensions Rise: Pakistan Responds to Indian Allegations

Amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and India, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, along with Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, addressed the media. This follows a recent attack on tourists in the Pahalgam region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

The press conference occurs during a period of strained relations, which intensified after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam that resulted in numerous fatalities. New Delhi swiftly implicated Islamabad in the incident without providing substantiating evidence, leading to a series of actions aimed at downgrading diplomatic ties. These measures included the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the revocation of visas for Pakistani citizens.

In response, Islamabad has reportedly directed the expulsion of Indian diplomats and military personnel, cancelled visas for Indian nationals (excluding Sikh pilgrims), and closed its side of the main border crossing. Pakistan has firmly denied any involvement in the aforementioned attack and has offered its cooperation in a credible and transparent investigation to ascertain the facts.

Amid warnings from Defence Minister Khawaja Asif about a potential escalation into a full-scale conflict, the United Nations has urged both Pakistan and India to exercise extreme caution to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar stated that Pakistan possesses reliable intelligence indicating potential military action by India within the next 24 to 36 hours. Tarar conveyed this information through a video statement, asserting that India intends to use the Pahalgam incident as a pretext for military action, based on unfounded allegations against Pakistan.

Prior to this, the Pakistan Army reportedly downed two Indian quadcopter drones near the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

DG ISPR recently presented what he described as “irrefutable” evidence of Indian-sponsored terrorism within Pakistan, responding to New Delhi’s accusations regarding the Pahalgam attack. Lt Gen Chaudhry asserted that India is actively engaged in state-sponsored cross-border terrorism against Pakistan.

He emphasized that despite the passage of time since the Pahalgam attack, India has not provided any concrete evidence to support its claims against Pakistan. The DG ISPR further stated that terror networks operated by India within Pakistan have been discovered, involving the supply of explosives and other lethal materials to terrorists targeting both security forces and civilians.

He added that this evidence represents only a fraction of a larger pattern of state-sponsored terrorism orchestrated by India.

This is an evolving story, and updates will be provided as they become available.