Fact Check: India did Pahalgam attack and blaming it on Pakistan

The Claim: "India did Pahalgam attack and blaming it on Pakistan"

Introduction

The claim under scrutiny suggests that India was responsible for the recent attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, primarily Indian tourists, and that the Indian government is attributing the blame to Pakistan. This assertion raises significant questions regarding the motivations behind such claims and the geopolitical context surrounding the India-Pakistan relationship.

What We Know

1. The Attack: On April 22, 2025, gunmen ambushed a group of tourists in Pahalgam, resulting in 26 fatalities, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepalese citizen. This incident has been described as one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in India in recent years 3.

2. Immediate Reactions: Following the attack, the Indian government quickly blamed Pakistan, a common narrative in the context of ongoing tensions between the two nations. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has historically positioned Pakistan as a primary antagonist in the region 4.

3. Pakistan's Response: In contrast, Pakistani officials, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, have denied any involvement, asserting that there is no connection between Pakistan and the attack, and have condemned the targeting of civilians 8.

4. Escalation of Tensions: The aftermath of the attack saw India taking significant retaliatory measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and halting all imports from Pakistan 710.

5. Media Coverage: Various media outlets have reported on the incident and the subsequent blame game, highlighting the cyclical nature of accusations between the two countries 126.

Analysis

The claim that India orchestrated the Pahalgam attack and subsequently blamed Pakistan is complex and requires careful examination of the sources involved.

1. Source Reliability:

   • Mainstream Media: Outlets like NPR, BBC, and The Washington Post provide detailed coverage of the attack and its aftermath, generally adhering to journalistic standards. However, they primarily report on the events as they unfold rather than providing definitive conclusions about the origins of the attack 123.
   • Regional Perspectives: Sources such as South Asia Times and Asia Times offer analyses that suggest a narrative of blame from India towards Pakistan, framing it as a recurring theme in Indo-Pak relations 45. However, these sources may carry biases based on regional perspectives and historical grievances.

2. Conflicting Narratives: The contrasting narratives from Indian and Pakistani officials illustrate the deep-seated mistrust and the tendency to blame each other for acts of violence. This is a well-documented pattern in the history of Indo-Pak relations, where both sides have accused each other of supporting terrorism 48.

3. Methodological Concerns: The claim lacks direct evidence linking the Indian government to the attack itself. While the rapid attribution of blame to Pakistan may suggest a strategic narrative, it does not inherently prove involvement. Further investigation into the attackers' identities and affiliations is necessary to substantiate any claims of state-sponsored actions.

4. Need for Additional Information: To better understand the dynamics at play, it would be beneficial to have access to intelligence reports, detailed investigations into the attack, and insights from independent security analysts. This would help clarify the motivations behind the attack and the subsequent political maneuvering.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that India orchestrated the Pahalgam attack and then blamed Pakistan is assessed as false based on the available evidence. Key points leading to this conclusion include the lack of direct evidence linking the Indian government to the attack, the immediate and typical response of blaming Pakistan in the context of ongoing tensions, and the denial of involvement from Pakistani officials.

It is important to recognize the historical context of Indo-Pak relations, where mutual accusations are common, and the narratives presented by both sides often reflect deep-seated mistrust. However, the absence of concrete evidence supporting the claim of Indian orchestration of the attack limits the validity of such assertions.

Readers should be aware that while the information presented is based on credible sources, the situation is fluid, and further developments may arise. Therefore, it is crucial to remain critical and evaluate information independently, especially in matters involving geopolitical tensions.

Sources

1. NPR. "India-Pakistan tensions escalate after deadly Kashmir attack." Link
2. BBC. "India and Pakistan blame each other for escalating military..." Link
3. The Washington Post. "Deadly Kashmir attack threatens new escalation between..." Link
4. South Asia Times. "Pahalgam Attack: India Replays the Blame Script on Pakistan." Link
5. Asia Times. "The perils of India's Pahalgam attack denial." Link
6. CNN. "May 7, 2025 India launches attacks on Pakistan after..." Link
7. ETV Bharat. "Explained: How India Responded To Pakistan After Pahalgam Attack." Link
8. Economic Times. "Pahalgam attack: Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif blames India's..." Link
9. Crisis Group. "Pulling India and Pakistan Back from the Brink." Link
10. Firstpost. "Pahalgam attack aftermath: How India has halted all imports..." Link