Pakistan Admits To Role In 2019 Pulwama Terror Attack: 'Our Tactical Brilliance...'
Last Updated:
Pakistani Air Force official Aurangzeb Ahmed referred to the Pulwama bombing as an act of "tactical brilliance".
A high-ranking Pakistani Air Force official publicly acknowledged Pakistani military's role in the deadly 2019 Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 Indian paramilitary personnel in an unexpected admission following years of denial. At a press conference, Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, the Director General Public Relations for the Pakistan Air Force, referred to the Pulwama bombing as an act of 'tactical brilliance".
The admission contradicts Pakistan's persistent claims of innocence regarding the Pulwama attack and undermines its recent demands for evidence from India concerning the Pahalgam terrorist incident.
Aurangzeb Ahmed said, flanked by DG ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and a Navy spokesperson, that Pakistan's armed forces had demonstrated their 'tactical brilliance" in Pulwama and their 'operational progress and strategic acumen" following Operation Sindoor.
He said, 'If Pakistan's airspace, land, waters, or its people are threatened, there can be no compromise. It cannot go unnoticed. We owe it to our nation. The pride and trust the Pakistani people have in their armed forces is something we always uphold, at all costs. We tried to convey that through our tactical brilliance in Pulwama; now, we have demonstrated our operational progress and strategic acumen. I believe they should take heed."
Pakistan has denied involvement in the Pulwama attack for which the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had claimed responsibility. Despite India providing dossiers linking the suicide bomber to the JeM – whose headquarters in Bawahalpur was struck by India during Operation Sindoor – Pakistan has consistently demanded more evidence and rejected India's accusations.
Following the Pulwama attack, India retaliated by launching airstrikes on a JeM terrorist training camp located in Balakot. Islamabad's response the following day involved its air force engaging Indian aircraft, leading to an aerial dogfight. During this engagement, an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, was shot down inside Pakistani territory. Abhinandan Varthaman ejected safely but was captured by Pakistani forces. He was later released by Pakistan.
Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
First Published:
May 11, 2025, 11:24 IST
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Criminal betrayal of our soldiers': Cong slams Modi govt over 'failing' to isolate Pak
NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday alleged that the Modi government has failed to isolate Pakistan on the global stage after the Pahalgam terror attack , calling it a "criminal betrayal" of Indian soldiers and citizens. Congress' head of media and publicity department, Pawan Khera, said instead of strong action against Pakistan, China armed it with fifth-generation jets and missiles and the World Bank and the ADB gave more aid to the neighbouring country. He claimed that the UN Security Council also named Pakistan Vice-Chair of the Anti-Terrorism Committee, just days after the terror attack on Indian soil. "After the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, we expected strong actions and global isolation of Pakistan, but what has actually happened? "China is arming Pakistan with 40 fifth-generation stealth J-35A fighter jets armed with cutting-edge PL-17 missiles. Azerbaijan is investing $2 billion in purchasing 40 Pakistani JF-17 fighter jets," Khera said. "The World Bank has pledged $40 billion for Pakistan's development. The IMF approved $1 billion bailout to Pakistan. Russia has signed a $2.6 billion agreement to rebuild a steel plant in Karachi," he said in a post on X. Khera also claimed that Kuwait and the UAE have relaxed visa rules and offered 10 billion-dollar investment deals and Pakistan has joined the China International Mediation Organization, gaining greater influence in Asian diplomacy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "The UN Security Council has named Pakistan Vice-Chair of the Anti-Terrorism Committee, just days after a terror attack on Indian soil! "This is not just a diplomatic failure. It is a criminal betrayal of our soldiers and citizens," Khera said. Another Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury said in a post that IMF gave $1 billion to Pakistan on May 9, the World Bank decided to give $40 billion to Pakistan soon after Operation Sindoor and ADB gave $800 million to Pakistan on June 3, even though the ADB president met PM Modi on June 1. "Have we failed in our Foreign Policy?" she asked. "Why are the 4 terrorists who indulged in Pahalgam carnage still alive and going around?" she said. "You are able to eliminate Naxals, but not able to eliminate these 4 terrorists, even after a month? Who is responsible for the intelligence failure? "151 tours, 72 countries, many hugs, kisses and gifts. Still no results. India needs answers," Chowdhury said. The Congress leader also said that a special session of Parliament was required to ask questions on US President Donald Trump's claims, more than 11 times, of "brokering a ceasefire" between India and Pakistan. "Why is PM Modi not denying his claim?" she asked.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Pakistani Generals want conflict, terrorists are their tools': Ravi Shankar Prasad in Berlin
File photo: BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad (Picture credit: ANI) BERLIN: BJP MP and leader of the all-party delegation Ravi Shankar Prasad on Saturday sharply criticised Pakistan's military establishment, asserting that its Generals orchestrate conflicts to remain relevant, using terrorists as tools to destabilise India. During a community event with the Indian diaspora in Berlin, Prasad highlighted India's remarkable progress in IT, space, and digital transformation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, contrasting it with Pakistan's repeated failures in wars while referring to the repeated incidents of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism and the military's dominant role in the country's politics. "India and Pakistan were born the same day. Where are we in India, and where are they (Pakistan)? India has become a major global IT power in the world. India has become an emerging space power in the world. The startup movements here are now globally recognised. India has also become the second biggest mobile phone manufacturer in the world. We have brought digital transformation with equity and justice," Prasad said. "What Pakistan is doing is creating terror machines. How to create world-class terrorists under their (military) Generals. They attacked us four times and lost every time. We never attacked; they were the ones who always started the war. It is because they are under the control of Generals and not political leaders. Generals want conflict to keep themselves relevant, and terrorists are the instruments through which they execute. Wherever there is a terrorist, either he is a Pakistani or trained in Pakistan," he added. He emphasised India's economic achievements, including a 51 per cent share of global digital payments and its status as the second-largest mobile manufacturer, attributing this to PM Modi's 2014 vision of "IT+IT=IT" (Information Technology + India's Talent = India Tomorrow). "Prime Minister Narendra Modi used to say in 2014 that if he became the PM, he would make an India where IT+IT=IT, which means Information Technology + India's Talent = India Tomorrow. Digital payment in India is at 51 per cent of the world," the BJP MP stated. Prasad also spoke about the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack and India's decisive response through Operation Sindoor on May 7, noting that Operation Sindoor remains paused but ready to resume based on Pakistan's actions. "Pahalgam attack happened on April 22. We attacked on May 7 and hit the terrorist camps. If Pakistan has to talk, it must directly speak to us. Our message was stern and straight: If you stop, we stop. If you fire, we will give a stronger reply. Operation Sindoor is on pause, subject to the good behaviour of Pakistan. It has not ended," he stated. The delegation, led by Ravi Shankar Prasad, includes BJP MPs Daggubati Purandeswari and Samik Bhattacharya, Congress MP Amar Singh and Gulam Ali Khatana, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, AIADMK MP M Thambidurai, former Union Minister MJ Akbar and former diplomat Pankaj Saran. The delegation arrived in Germany after concluding their visit to Belgium to convey India's resolute and united stand against terrorism.
Time of India
43 minutes ago
- Time of India
Pakistani govt raises salaries of NA speaker, Senate chairman to 1.3 mn: Report
Islamabad: The Pakistani government has formally raised the monthly salaries of the National Assembly speaker and the Senate chairman to Rs 1.3 million, according to a media report on Saturday. The new salary marks a significant rise from their previous salary of Rs 205,000. The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs issued the notification on May 29, but details surfaced on Friday, Samaa TV reported. The monthly salary for both officials has been fixed at Rs 1.3 million and they will also receive an additional 50 per cent as a temporary allowance on top of it, according to the notification. The revised salary structure will be effective retrospectively from January 1, 2025. Live Events Earlier on March 21, it was reported that the salaries and allowances of federal cabinet members had been significantly increased, with federal ministers, ministers of state and advisers receiving hikes of up to 188 per cent. Sources had said that the federal ministers approved a summary of the salary increments for themselves and ministers of state through circulation. An amendment to the Federal Ministers and Ministers of State (Allowances and Salaries) Act, 1975, was approved, paving the way for these increases. Following the bill's approval, the revised salary of a federal minister, minister of state and adviser would stand at Rs 519,000. Previously, federal ministers were earning Rs 200,000, while ministers of state had a salary of Rs 180,000. This decision marked a substantial 159 per cent increase in the salaries of federal ministers, while ministers of state and advisers have witnessed an increment of up to 188 per cent. Earlier this year, the Finance Committee had approved an increase in the salaries of members of the National Assembly and senators, raising their monthly pay to Rs 519,000, according to the report.
