'Nothing To Do With It': In First Reaction, Pakistan Denies Role In Pahalgam Terror Attack
Hours after a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam killed 26, Pakistan, in its first reaction to the attack, has claimed it has “got nothing to do" with the incident.
The country also asserted it “rejects terrorism in all its forms".
In a statement, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said, “Pakistan has no link with the Pagalgam terror attack."
He also asserted the attack was a reaction of those against the Central government in India, from Nagaland to Kashmir, including the unrest in Manipur, and the attack was “home-grown".
“The Central government in India is facing protests in many states, including Nagaland, Manipur, Kashmir, and Chhattisgarh. This is home-grown as the government is exploiting many," Asif said.
“We do not support terrorism in any form, and locals should not be a target for terrorists, and we have no doubt about it," he said.
“However, if local forces are targeting the Indian government, it becomes easy to target Pakistan," Asif asserted.
Also commenting on the attack, a spokesperson with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs extended condolences to the families of those killed.
“We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery," he said.
Terrorists opened fire at a popular tourist spot near Kashmir’s Pahalgam town on Tuesday afternoon, killing 26 people, mostly holidayers from other states, in what is the deadliest attack in the Valley since the Pulwama strike in 2019.
The 26 dead included two foreigners – from UAE and Nepal – and two locals, officials said.
Among the dead were tourists from several states, including Karnataka, Maharashtra, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
At least one person from Gujarat, three from Tamil Nadu and two from Maharashtra were among the injured.
Pakistan has denied its involvement in the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, stating it rejects terrorism in all forms. It said it has got nothing to do with the attack.
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