Amid heightened tensions following the deadly Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has demanded an international investigation, proposing that Russia, China, or Western nations lead an independent probe into the incident. The call comes as Pakistan seeks to counter India’s allegations of cross-border terrorism.
The key phrase “Pakistan calls for international probe into Pahalgam attack” was reiterated by Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif during a recent interview with Russia’s state-run RIA Novosti news agency. The minister emphasized that an impartial international team should investigate whether India’s claims against Pakistan are credible.
“I believe Russia, China, or even Western countries could play a very positive role by forming an investigative team to determine whether India and Prime Minister Modi are speaking the truth or spreading falsehoods,” Asif stated. He further noted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had also suggested an international inquiry following the April 22 assault.
The attack, which took place in the tourist district of Pahalgam, left 26 people dead, most of whom were visiting from other parts of India. It was the most lethal terrorist strike in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. India has blamed Pakistan-based groups for orchestrating the violence, a claim Islamabad has strongly denied.
Pakistan Demands Evidence
Accusing India of making baseless allegations, Khawaja Asif challenged New Delhi to produce concrete evidence linking Pakistan to the attackers. “Empty statements will not suffice. If Pakistan is being blamed, there should be substantive proof,” he said, underscoring Pakistan’s position that no official links exist between Islamabad and the perpetrators.
Pakistan’s call for international probe into Pahalgam attack is seen as a diplomatic countermeasure to India’s efforts to mobilize global opinion against Islamabad.
International Reactions Mixed
Meanwhile, independent American analyst Andrew Korybko, writing in his Substack newsletter from Moscow, criticized Pakistan’s official narrative. Korybko noted that some Pakistani leaders, including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, had controversially described the attackers as “freedom fighters.”
Korybko wrote, “Whatever one’s perspective on the Kashmir conflict, the massacre of tourists is unequivocally an act of terrorism. Suggesting otherwise tarnishes the global image of genuine freedom movements and dangerously legitimizes terror acts.”
The Road Ahead
While Pakistan calls for international probe into Pahalgam attack, it remains uncertain whether Russia, China, or any Western nation would agree to participate in an investigation. Analysts suggest that Islamabad’s demand aims to neutralize India’s diplomatic offensive and frame the narrative ahead of upcoming international forums.
The Pahalgam attack has further strained already volatile relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors, and the coming weeks are expected to see intense diplomatic exchanges over the issue.
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