Pakistan Seeks International Probe into Deadly Pahalgam Terror Attack
Pakistan Calls for International Investigation into Pahalgam Terror Attack
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Pakistan is calling for the involvement of Russia, China, and even Western countries in investigating the recent horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region. The attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists, on Tuesday, was the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike.
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The Resistance Front (TRF), a group linked to the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility for the attack. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed a strong response to the perpetrators and those who conspired in the attack.
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Pakistan’s Defense Minister’s Plea for International Scrutiny
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In an interview with Russian government-run news agency RIA Novosti, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that an international team, possibly comprising Russia, China, or Western nations, could play a crucial role in resolving the situation. He suggested that this team could investigate whether India’s accusations against Pakistan are true.
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Asif also mentioned that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had proposed a similar international investigation. He stressed the need for concrete evidence linking Pakistan to the attack, calling India’s accusations “empty statements.”
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Contradictory Statements Raise Doubts
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However, Pakistani officials’ statements have been met with skepticism. U.S.-based analyst Andrew Korybko, writing on Substack, noted the contradictory nature of their claims. He pointed to comments by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who hinted at the attackers being “freedom fighters,” and Defence Minister Asif’s suggestion that the attack might be a “false flag operation.”
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Korybko argues that these contrasting viewpoints, one seemingly justifying the attack and the other blaming India, suggest a clumsy attempt to cover up Pakistan’s potential involvement.
