Turkey Expresses Support for Pakistan Amidst India Tensions After Pahalgam Attack

Turkey Backs Pakistan After Deadly Pahalgam Attack

Amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Turkey has publicly expressed its support for Pakistan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s solidarity with the Pakistani people during a cabinet meeting in Ankara. He called for calm and urged both nations to work towards de-escalation.

Erdogan’s statement came after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to Turkey, where they discussed strengthening defense ties, boosting trade, and expanding cooperation in various sectors. Erdogan stressed the importance of avoiding new conflicts in the region and beyond, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the current tensions.

Reports of Turkish Military Aid Prompt Denial

Adding fuel to the fire, reports emerged that six Turkish C-130 Hercules aircraft, loaded with military equipment, had arrived in Pakistan on Sunday. These reports were based largely on flight-tracking data from open-source intelligence (OSINT) trackers. However, the Turkish government swiftly denied these claims, stating that they were untrue. The Directorate of Communications issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, refuting the reports of weapons being sent to Pakistan.

Remembering the Pahalgam Attack

The recent attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people, mostly tourists, on April 22, has significantly heightened tensions between India and Pakistan. The incident, occurring at Baisaran meadow in Jammu and Kashmir, was the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack targeting CRPF personnel. While The Resistance Front (TRF), suspected to be an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), initially claimed responsibility, they later retracted their statement, shrouding the attack in further mystery.

India has responded with a series of diplomatic measures against Pakistan, including halting the implementation of the Indus Waters Treaty, sealing the Attari-Wagah border crossing, and suspending visa issuance for Pakistani citizens. In retaliation, Pakistan has suspended the Simla Agreement.