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

The Ministry of External Affairs (MOE) on Thursday rejected what it described as India’s propaganda campaign of “baseless allegations” linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam incident and urged New Delhi to show responsible behavior and refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and actions.

FO did not specify which statements or allegations it was referring to. However, an Indian media claimed in a recent investigation that the mastermind behind the Pahalgam attack sought shelter in Pakistan. It claimed that the suspect allegedly had a Pakistani identity card with a Rawalpindi address.

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 the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India immediately blamed Pakistan without providing any evidence, a claim Islamabad categorically denied. Tensions escalated the following day, 23 April 2025, when India took a series of hostile measures, including suspending the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty.

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

The statement called the development “unfortunate| and said that amid an ongoing regional crisis, India remained focused on “weaponising its false narrative against Pakistan for narrow 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 of creating a smokescreen for its continued sponsorship of terrorism across the region,” it added.

The FO said such propaganda campaigns could not distract the international community from India’s continued occupation of the IIOJK and its denial of the right to self-determination to Kashmiris, in violation of relevant UN resolutions.

Also read: A year on, India failed to produce evidence of Pahalgam attack: Tarar

It further stated that such “gimmicks” could not hide what it termed India’s undermining of regional peace and security through “inflammatory rhetoric, repeated provocations and aggressive military posturing”, including its unilateral move to put the Indus Waters Treaty on hold, which it said was in violation of international law.

“We hope that the international community will call on India to demonstrate responsible behavior and to desist from all rhetoric and actions that may serve as a spoiler for ongoing efforts aimed at regional and international peace and security,” the statement concluded.

A day ago, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar marked a year ago what he described as the “false flag Pahalgam operation”, stating that India had failed to provide evidence of its allegations against Pakistan over the attack.

The situation was further aggravated after the Pahalgam attack in the early hours of 7 May 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 the elderly.

In response, Pakistan’s armed forces shot down Indian warplanes, including three Rafale jets.

Later, Pakistan launched Operation Bunyanum Marsoos in retaliation, targeting Indian military installations, including missile depots, air bases and other strategic locations.

On 10 May 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been reached following overnight diplomatic efforts. The agreement was subsequently confirmed by Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and the Indian Foreign Minister.