In the aftermath of the deadliest attack in Jammu and Kashmir in over two decades, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has sparked outrage by referring to the perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre as “freedom fighters”. The attack, which took place on 22 April 2025 in the scenic Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, left at least 26 tourists dead and more than 20 injured, sending shockwaves across India and the international community.
The assault saw gunmen indiscriminately open fire on tourists – most of them Hindu – at one of Kashmir’s most popular destinations, marking a grim precedent as militants in the region have historically avoided targeting visitors.
The Resistance Front (TRF), an affiliate of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack, which Indian authorities have classified as a terror incident. Police have identified at least two of the attackers as Pakistani nationals, further fuelling diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
Addressing the media in Islamabad just days after the attack, Ishaq Dar stated, “Those who carried out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam district on April 22 might be freedom fighters,” directly contradicting India’s assertion that the incident was an act of terrorism.
Diplomatic Fallout
Dar’s comments came as India announced a raft of retaliatory measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, cancelling visas for Pakistani nationals, and expelling Pakistani diplomats.In response, Pakistan denounced India’s actions as an “act of war” and threatened a “tit-for-tat” response, including closing its airspace to Indian airlines and halting all trade with India.
The remarks by Pakistan’s deputy prime minister have been widely condemned within India and internationally. Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria labelled Dar’s statement “disgraceful,” calling it an open admission of state-sponsored terrorism. Meanwhile, the Pakistani government has officially condemned the attack and denied any involvement, but Dar’s words have intensified suspicions about Islamabad’s support for militant groups in Kashmir.
The Pahalgam attack has devastated the local tourism industry, with hotels shuttered and the usually bustling town deserted in the wake of the violence. Survivors and witnesses recounted harrowing scenes, including attackers asking victims to identify their religion before opening fire. The brutality of the incident, coupled with the political fallout, has led to a complete shutdown in Kashmir and heightened fears of further escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
As both countries trade accusations and warnings, the international community has called for restraint and condemned the targeting of civilians. The episode underscores the deep divisions over Kashmir and the dangers posed by inflammatory rhetoric in a region long marked by conflict and mistrust.
