ISLAMABAD:On Wednesday, Pakistan’s military and Foreign Office strongly condemned recent statements made by the Indian defense minister and army chief, accusing them of reviving unfounded allegations against Pakistan. The officials criticized India’s tendency to blame Pakistan for what they described as an indigenous response to state-sponsored oppression in Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
The statements came after Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, during a press briefing, alleged that in 2024, “60 percent of the terrorists eliminated” in IIOJK were of Pakistani origin, further claiming that “80 percent of the remaining fighters” also came from Pakistan.
In response, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a strongly worded rebuttal, rejecting these claims as baseless and politically motivated. “Labeling Pakistan as the epicenter of terrorism is not only factually incorrect but also an attempt to divert attention from India’s own state-sponsored atrocities in IIOJK,” the statement said. It accused India of using such rhetoric to shift focus from its domestic human rights violations and discriminatory policies against minorities.
The ISPR also highlighted the Indian army’s history of brutality in IIOJK, pointing out that General Dwivedi himself oversaw severe crackdowns on Kashmiris during his tenure in the region. “These statements reflect the extreme politicization of the Indian military,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the ISPR accused India of promoting hate speech and fostering an environment that incites violence against Muslims. It also drew attention to India’s international record of transnational repression and human rights violations in Kashmir, asserting that such actions have only strengthened the Kashmiri people’s resolve for self-determination as recognized by United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
The statement also noted the capture of an Indian military officer in Pakistan, who was allegedly orchestrating terrorist activities. “Instead of fabricating claims of terror infrastructure in Pakistan, India should confront the ground realities,” it stated.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Foreign Office also dismissed the accusations made by the Indian defense minister and army chief. It reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory, whose status must be resolved per UNSC resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The Foreign Office emphasized that India’s rhetoric cannot overshadow the human rights violations and oppressive measures in IIOJK. It urged India to reflect on its documented involvement in acts of subversion and state-sponsored terrorism abroad, stressing that such provocative statements harm regional peace and stability.
Pakistan reaffirmed its support for the Kashmiri people’s legitimate struggle for self-determination, calling for adherence to international norms and constructive dialogue instead of baseless accusations.
