Imran Khan flays Pahalgam terror attack, but warns India against 'war-mongering' amid rising tensions
PTC Web Desk: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has condemned the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, calling it “deeply disturbing and tragic.” In a statement from jail, where he has been held since August 2023 on multiple charges, Khan expressed condolences to the victims’ families while cautioning India against using the incident as a pretext for aggression.
Posting on X, Imran Khan referenced the 2019 Pulwama attack, describing it a “False Flag Operation,” and reiterated Pakistan's offer for cooperation, claiming India failed to provide concrete evidence. He warned that a repeat of such accusations without investigation risks escalating tensions in a nuclear-armed region.
“Peace is our priority, but it should not be mistaken as weakness,” Khan said, asserting Pakistan’s capacity to respond to any military action. He emphasised the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination under UN resolutions and accused the Modi-led government of increasing oppression in the region since the revocation of Article 370.
The jailed PTI chief also slammed former premiers Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari, alleging they remain silent on Indian aggression to protect their foreign assets and interests. He urged Pakistani unity in the face of external threats and criticised internal political victimisation for weakening the nation's defensive posture.
Khan’s remarks came shortly after Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar claimed “credible intelligence” of a potential Indian military strike within 24 to 36 hours. India, meanwhile, has granted its military full operational freedom to respond to the Pahalgam attack.
- With inputs from agencies
