The Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, in a special briefing held on April 30, 2025, raised a series of critical questions regarding the Pahalgam incident, describing it as a “false flag operation” and highlighting inconsistencies that, according to him, remain unanswered even after a year.
During the detailed media briefing, the military spokesperson stated that Pakistan’s position is based on facts rather than allegations, and emphasized the need for evidence-based investigation rather than narrative-building. He questioned the logistical and operational claims surrounding the incident, noting that Pahalgam is located more than 200 kilometers from any Pakistani town, making the alleged cross-border movement highly questionable.
He further pointed out the difficult terrain of the region, stating that it is neither geographically easy to traverse nor supported by all-weather road infrastructure. He also raised concerns regarding the reported timeline of events, questioning how local police allegedly reached the site within approximately ten minutes, registered a First Information Report, and returned in such a short span of time, terming it an indication of possible pre-planning.
The DG ISPR noted that Indian intelligence agencies reportedly had no prior warning of the incident, yet within minutes of the event, claims began circulating that the attackers had crossed from across the border. He said this rapid narrative formation raised serious questions about coordination and intent behind the information being released.
He also addressed the portrayal of the incident along religious lines, stating that efforts were made to frame it as a sectarian attack targeting a specific community. He rejected such claims, emphasizing that terrorism has no religion and that attributing violence to any faith is both inaccurate and misleading.
According to him, even within India, voices have emerged questioning the official narrative, while social media accounts linked to certain establishments began circulating unverified claims within minutes of the incident, attempting to attribute responsibility without evidence.
The DG ISPR further stated that immediately after the incident, allegations were made against Pakistan regarding the use of proxy elements, despite the absence of verifiable proof. He reiterated that Pakistan has consistently rejected such accusations and maintained that responsibility must be established through credible investigation rather than assumptions.
He concluded that the briefing presented detailed facts and raised significant questions regarding the incident, describing it as part of a broader pattern of narrative construction that, according to him, lacks transparency and factual grounding.
The DG ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan remains committed to regional peace and rejects all forms of terrorism, while continuing to advocate for objective, evidence-based inquiry into such incidents.
