Indian statement on Pahalgam attackers ‘replete with fabrications’, says Pakistan

Home Minister Amit Shah’s account of forces killing who he said were three Pakistanis involved in the April attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir was “replete with fabrications”, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday (July 30, 2025).

Mr. Shah told Parliament on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) that the three militants killed in a gun battle in a Kashmir forest this week were the perpetrators of the April 22 Pahalgam attack and that New Delhi had found evidence to back it.

“Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless assertions and provocative claims made by the Indian leaders during the Lok Sabha debate on the so-called “Operation Sindoor.” These statements reflect a dangerous tendency to distort facts, justify aggression, and glorify conflict for domestic consumption,” Spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said.

“The account given by the Indian Home Minister is replete with fabrications, leading to serious questions about its credibility,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The world knows that India attacked Pakistan without any verifiable evidence or a credible investigation into the Pahalgam Attack. During the intervening night of 6 and 7 May 2025, India’s targeting of the alleged terrorist infrastructure resulted actually in the martyrdom of innocent men, women, and children. India failed to achieve any of its strategic objectives. On the other hand, Pakistan’s resounding success in neutralising the Indian fighter jets and military targets is an indisputable fact, the Spokesperson said.

Instead of misleading their compatriots, the Indian leaders would be well-advised to acknowledge the losses incurred by their armed forces and accept the active role played by the third parties in realising the ceasefire, the statement said.

“India did not avail itself of the immediate offer made by the Prime Minister of Pakistan for a transparent and independent probe into the Pahalgam Attack. Instead, it chose the path of belligerence and aggression. It acted as judge, jury and executioner at the same time. Against this backdrop, any claims regarding the so-called “Operation Mahadev” do not hold any significance for us. The account given by the Indian Home Minister is replete with fabrications, leading to serious questions about its credibility. Is it a mere coincidence that the alleged perpetrators of the Pahalgam Attack were killed at the start of the Lok Sabha debate?” the Spokesperson said.

“We also reiterate our unequivocal rejection of the ceaseless Indian statements on establishing a “new normal” in bilateral relations. As we have already shown through our resolute actions in May 2025, we shall forcefully counter any future aggression. For us, the only “normal” in bilateral relations is respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and adherence to the principles and purposes of the U.N. Charter,” the statement said.

“The Indian narrative of an alleged “nuclear blackmail” by Pakistan is a misleading and self-serving construct, and an attempt to veil its own escalatory impulses while shifting blame onto Pakistan. It is well known that Pakistan deterred India through its conventional capabilities, affirming that discipline and restraint remain its guiding principles,” the statement added.

“We also wish to register our disapproval of the Indian leaders’ misplaced assertions regarding the Indus Waters Treaty. India’s decision to hold the Treaty in abeyance shows its blatant disregard for the sanctity of international treaties, and strikes at a fundamental pillar of regional cooperation. Instead of taking pride in a unilateral and illegal move, India must immediately fulfil its Treaty obligations,” the spokesperson said.

“India’s continued reliance on disinformation, jingoism, and chest-thumping risks destabilising South Asia. However, as a responsible country, Pakistan remains committed to peace, regional stability, and a meaningful dialogue for resolution of all outstanding issues, including the core dispute of Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement said.

(With inputs from Reuters)