Introduction: Misplaced Accusations After a Tragedy
On April 22, 2025, a tragic attack took place in Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the death of 26 people and injuries to many more. While the loss of innocent lives is condemnable and profoundly upsetting, India’s quick move to politicise the incident and blame Pakistan without firm evidence is yet another example of its longstanding habit of exploiting tragedy to promote anti-Pakistan narratives and divert attention from its own domestic shortcomings, especially in its illegally occupied territories.
The Incident: Unanswered Questions and Inconsistencies
Indian authorities assert that five armed men, disguised in military uniforms, attacked tourists, selectively targeting individuals based on religion. The story has been echoed in Indian media with sensationalist detail, including unverified claims such as “circumcision checks” and victims being asked to recite the Kalima. These theatrics resemble Bollywood-style fabrications rather than a serious investigation.
Curiously, India’s version of events is based on cellphone footage and unverified eyewitness accounts, and the primary evidence has yet to be independently reviewed by any neutral international body. Pakistan has repeatedly called for an impartial probe, which India has refused, raising concerns about the credibility of its claims.
Shifting Blame: From TRF to Pakistan Without Evidence
Initially, the so-called The Resistance Front (TRF) allegedly claimed responsibility, referring to settlers brought after India’s illegal abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. However, this claim was mysteriously retracted shortly afterwards. India then changed its stance and blamed Pakistan, conveniently naming a former Pakistani soldier and claiming involvement of Pakistani nationals, without presenting any forensic or material evidence.
This predictable shift conforms to a longstanding Indian pattern: exploiting any violence in Kashmir as a pretext to denigrate Pakistan, divert attention from domestic dissent, and inflame nationalism ahead of elections.
The Indian Response: Draconian Measures and Escalation
Instead of pursuing calm diplomacy or inviting international oversight, India responded with knee-jerk escalation:
- Indus Waters Treaty Suspension: An irresponsible move that endangers regional water security and violates international agreements.
- Expulsion of Diplomats and Visa Bans: Counterproductive actions that hinder diplomatic channels.
- Operation Sindoor: Unilateral airstrikes allegedly targeting “militant camps” in Pakistani territory—actions unsupported by international observers and highly provocative.
- Operation Abhyaas: Civil defence drills aimed at fearmongering among the Indian public.
These moves reflect a militaristic, reactionary posture rather than a genuine attempt to investigate or resolve.
The Role of Media: Manufactured Consent and Hysteria
India’s media outlets, both state-controlled and private, aggressively spread unverified details, fostering an atmosphere of hysteria. International outlets like Reuters and AP, often relying on Indian government sources, repeated these narratives without questioning inconsistencies or India’s refusal of international scrutiny.
At the same time, voices of reason—such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs—were either sidelined or condemned. The FATF, despite its supposed neutrality, echoed language that appeared more aligned with Indian talking points, further exposing the politicisation of global institutions.
Rising Islamophobia and Anti-Kashmiri Violence
One of the most tragic results of such incidents is the immediate rise in hate crimes against Muslims and Kashmiris in India. According to multiple reports, Muslims in cities across India faced discrimination, harassment, and violence, while Kashmiri students and traders were targeted in retaliation. These attacks often go unpunished, reinforcing a culture of impunity.
Meanwhile, Pakistan-based and international humanitarian groups called for the protection of minorities and vulnerable populations—concerns that were largely ignored by Indian authorities.
Pakistan’s Stance: Clear, Consistent, and Peace-Oriented
Pakistan has consistently condemned all forms of terrorism, including this tragic incident, and demanded a neutral international investigation into the Pahalgam attack. Rather than stoking tensions, Islamabad advocated for transparency, accountability, and the safety of all civilians.
Unfortunately, India rejected these proposals and instead chose to escalate militarily and diplomatically, further harming the prospects for peace in the region.
The Bigger Picture: A Distraction from Indian Domestic Failures
This incident also exposes the cracks in India’s so-called “normalcy” narrative in Kashmir. Far from being a peaceful tourist paradise, the region remains heavily militarized, oppressed, and simmering with resistance against Indian occupation.
The Pahalgam attack, whether perpetrated by rogue elements or used as a false flag, has conveniently allowed New Delhi to:
- Justify further militarisation of Kashmir.
- Push the settler-colonial project by labelling indigenous opposition as “terrorism.”
- Divert attention from economic troubles, rising communalism, and human rights violations across India.
Conclusion: The Need for Transparency and De-escalation
Pakistan remains committed to justice, not through propaganda or reactive actions, but through facts, transparency, and dialogue. Blaming Pakistan for every untoward incident in Kashmir without proof only worsens mistrust and endangers regional stability.
It is time for the international community to demand more than slogans and war cries from India. Peace in South Asia will remain elusive until the Kashmir dispute is resolved through fair, honest, and peaceful means, not manufactured narratives and military theatrics.
