On April 26, 2025, the shocking reports of an attack on a tourist location deep inside the disputed territory of Kashmir was a shocking incident for everyone in the world.
Within minutes, India started blaming Pakistan for the attack while Pakistan continued to deny the involvement and offered independent investigation into the incident.
India continued its war mongering and removed its top military and air force officers before it planned an attack on Pakistan.
Has Indian Reaction on Pahalgam Backfired? Until now, it seems so. It is also unclear whether the target of war mongering and exaggerated claims was the Indian public or the global community. If we talk about the Indian public, it seems they are partially successful. The State supported fake news has seen unprecedented levels in showcasing an entirely non-existing reality to its viewers. Even the major news channels were showing reports that anyone would laugh out. It seems Indian journalists seriously need some schooling on reporting.
For instance, the claims included attacking the airports, the markets, the bombing of major cities, seaports and what not. The Indian media was running breaking news all over the day. There were false claims on attacks, downing of planes and so much. However, the situation in Pakistan was at calm.
Moreover, it was understood that Kashmir issue can ignite a catastrophic conflict after the Indian constitutional debacle in August 2019. Pakistan has been warning against the forceful occupation of Kashmir. Kashmir is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan awaiting a plebiscite since 1948. Yet, India has unilaterally removed Article 370 of the Indian constitution which removes the special status of Kashmir. Kashmiris are yet to accept it as a legitimate act.
Pahalgam Attack
So, once Pahalgam attack took place. India blamed Pakistan for the Pahalgam attack within 10 minutes of the attack. There were no investigations, no fact checks, nothing. India is unable to trace the militants who had stricken Pahalgam for the last 15 days. Further, it was deep inside the disputed region of Kashmir. India has a strong military presence in the area against the innocent Kashmiris. Yet, Pakistan was blamed. At the same time, Pakistan clearly stated that it wasn’t involved in it and offered independent investigations. Pakistan called it a flase flag operation. Instead, the war mongering continued.
In 1965, India had attacked Pakistan in the middle of the night. Pakistani forces were able to respond effectively and defended the territory against Indian attack. On May 7, 2025, India attacked the Pakistani cities through its air force without entering into the Pakistani territory. Interestingly, the capture of Indian pilot Abhinandan in 2019 kept India’s ulterior designs in control. Still, the Pakistan Air Force responded swiftly and downed some Indian jets flying in the Indian airspace. Resultantly, the Indians had to backtrack.
However, there is an intensive hatred on rise in India against Muslims. Even, the Saudi Flags were desecrated in India amid the backlash from Pakistan.
Indian Attack on Pakistan
On May 8, Indian drones entered Pakistan. The 29 drones were targeted and shot down by Pakistan Army. The offensive trend continues from India. On the other hand, Pakistan has shown a greater restraint against the attack. It continued to defend its territorial integrity against blatant violations of international law from the Indian side. It continues to do so.
Still, Pakistan has clearly states its position that it holds the right to strike back at the time and place of its choice against the illegal strikes in the Pakistani territory.
As India continues to drumbeat its false narrative. The global community hasn’t paid much heed to its claims. So, Has Indian Reaction on Pahalgam Backfired?
India was expecting that its hue and cry at the global stage would let it blame terrorism on Pakistan. It was expecting that the global community would immediately be standing with India and blame Pakistan without any evidence. India planned to create an atmosphere of hate against Pakistan and an attack thereafter. Well, India went into it. Yet, the global community also sought some evidence. India continued to blame Pakistan without it. Indian statements included the pictures from 2008 or earlier. Yet, it did not provide any evidence linking Pakistan to Pahalgam.
Removal of Senior Indian Military Officers
Interestingly, India also changed its high level military leadership days before the attack on Pakistan. A high ranking general and deputy air chief was transferred. The analysts claim that these officers had questioned the false narrative and an attack on Pakistan could backfire. Thus, they were also relieved of their duties.
The global community condemned the attack. So did Pakistan. Pakistan offered independent investigations. India did not accept. Instead, it continued the war mongering. The global community is asking for restraint. Pakistan is already showing great restraint on this issue. However, India is acting madly in the situation. The international community is surely observing the situation and understands that India is building a false narrative under a questionable pretext for non-understandable motives. Thus, there isn’t any outspoken support in the international community for India.
Thus, India’s reaction on Pahalgam has surely backfired. Still, the war mongering attitude is clearly visible and it may end up in an all out war between the two nuclear armed nations. Well, the world has to look at: What will be the consequences of a Nuclear War between India and Pakistan. Are we prepared for it?
