Pakistan Minister’s Remark Validates India’s Long-Held Stand on Terrorism Amid Pahalgam Attack Tensions
In a controversial and revealing interview, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif appeared to indirectly admit to his country’s involvement in supporting and training terrorist outfits over the past three decades. His statement, seen by many as a vindication of India’s consistent stance on Pakistan’s backing of terrorism, comes at a critical time when New Delhi has blamed Islamabad for the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 tourists dead.
Speaking to journalist Yalda Hakim, Asif said, “We have been doing this dirty work for the US and the West, including Britain, for three decades.” The remark has sparked international attention and has been seized upon by Indian officials as confirmation of Pakistan’s duplicity in fighting terrorism.
Asif attempted to justify Pakistan’s actions by framing them as a consequence of its alliance with Western powers during key geopolitical conflicts. “If we had not joined the war against the Soviet Union and later on, following the 9/11 attacks, Pakistan would have an unimpeachable track record,” he said. Asif highlighted how Pakistan had aligned itself with the United States during the Cold War and later supported the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. He further alleged that the US had itself used terrorist groups as “proxies” to combat the Soviets in Afghanistan.
However, Asif’s statement did little to dispel India’s growing concerns over cross-border terrorism. He went on to accuse India of “staging” the Pahalgam terror attack, claiming it was an orchestrated attempt to escalate tensions in the region and target Pakistan diplomatically and militarily.
Brushing aside India’s accusations, the Pakistani minister downplayed the role of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist organization. “Lashkar is an old name. It does not exist anymore,” Asif claimed, also denying any knowledge of The Resistance Front, the terror group that has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam massacre. Despite such denials, Indian intelligence and security agencies maintain that these groups continue to receive shelter and support from Pakistani soil.
When asked whether Pakistan was prepared for a potential military retaliation by India—similar to the Balakot airstrikes carried out after the 2019 Pulwama attack—Asif issued a chilling warning. “If there is an all-out attack or something like that, then obviously there will be an all-out war… The clash between two nuclear powers is always worrisome,” he said, raising the specter of nuclear confrontation in the region.
India, in response to the Pahalgam attack, has taken a series of punitive actions against Pakistan. These include the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, the downgrading of diplomatic ties, and the cancellation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals. Islamabad has retaliated with reciprocal measures.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reacting to the attack, assured the nation that every terrorist and their supporters would be identified and punished. “India will not forgive. We will trace and punish all those responsible,” Modi declared.
As tensions rise, international observers remain watchful, fearing that this renewed strain between the two nuclear-armed neighbours could spiral into a broader conflict.
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