Copenhagen: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday hit out at Pakistan's Army Chief General Asim Munir for his role in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. As per Jaishankar, General Munir's “extreme religious outlook” was behind the deadly terror attack in which 26 innocent people were killed. The EAM made these remarks during his visit to the Netherlands.
"It started because it was triggered by a very barbaric terror attack where 26 tourists were murdered in front of their families after ascertaining their faith. It was intended to harm tourism and to create religious discord," Jaishankar said as reported by Firstpost.
"You have a Pakistani army chief driven by an extreme religious outlook, so some connect with views expressed and conduct," he further added.
The Foreign Minister said that 26 people were killed to create religious discord in India. "Twenty-six people were murdered in front of their families after ascertaining their faith. To create religious discord, deliberately, an element of religion was introduced," he said as quoted by India Today.
What General Asim Munir Said A Week Before Pahalgam Attack?
Notably, a week before the Pahalgam attack, the Pakistan Army Chief made anti-Hindu remarks while addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad. Justifying the two-nation theory, General Munir said that India and Pakistan are two different nations. He stressed that Hindus are different from Pakistan in every aspect.
Operation Sindoor:
Notably, on April 22, five to six Pakistan-backed terrorists opened fire on people enjoying their vacations at Baisaran meadow near Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam killing 26 people. Among the deceased was also a Nepali citizen. As per eyewitnesses, the terrorists singled out non-Muslims and shot them dead. One local pony guide also died in the attack. Initially, Pakistan-based terror organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba's (leT) offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility. However, it denied its role days later.
On the intervening night of May 6 and 7, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor and targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan tried to attack Indian civilian and military installations. However, India's air defence thwarted the attack. On the intervening night of May 9 and 10, India hit 11 Pakistani air bases.
Pakistan's Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) on May 10 contacted his Indian counterpart and requested a ceasefire.
