MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday said that India is carrying out terrorist attacks inside Pakistan through proxy groups, after a “humiliating defeat” suffered by New Delhi during last year’s military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Addressing a special session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, PM Sharif said durable peace in South Asia was impossible unless India abandoned its “aggressive, expansionist and hegemonic designs”.
“India is fomenting terrorism in Pakistan through its proxies after its defeat in Marka-e-Haq,” PM Sharif said, referring to the period of hostilities between April 22 and May 10 last year.
“Any front India chooses to open will be met with an unforgettable response,” the Prime Minister warned.
Terror attacks in Balochistan
PM Sharif’s remarks followed coordinated terrorist attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan.
The attacks were carried out by the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorist group, which is backed by India.
Pakistani authorities said that the terrorists were in constant contact with their handlers in Afghanistan and were receiving instructions.
According to Pakistan’s military media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), security forces concluded Operation Raddul Fitna 1, targeting terrorist groups involved in recent attacks.
In a statement, the ISPR said at least 216 terrorists were killed in coordinated intelligence-based operations and clearance missions.
ISPR added that 36 civilians, including women and children, and 22 personnel from the security forces and law enforcement agencies were also martyred during the attacks.
The attacks targeted multiple locations, including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar and Pasni, officials said.
Kashmir will ‘never’ be a part of India
Reiterating Pakistan’s long-standing position on Kashmir, PM Sharif said the region had “never been, and will never be, a part of India”.
He recalled Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s description of Kashmir as the country’s “jugular vein”.
“The sacrifices of the Kashmiri people will not go in vain,” PM Sharif said. “History shows that Kashmiris can sacrifice their lives but will never compromise on their freedom.”
He said a lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute was only possible in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people and United Nations Security Council resolutions, pledging continued moral, political and diplomatic support from Pakistan.
PM Sharif also praised Pakistan’s armed forces, saying they had delivered a decisive response to India under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
He said the outcome had revived the Kashmir issue internationally and weakened India’s diplomatic narrative.
Pakistan desires peace on basis of equality
PM Sharif referred to last year’s military confrontation, which began with Indian unprovoked airstrikes on Pakistani cities on May 7.
Pakistan responded with retaliatory strikes and shot down six Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale aircraft.
The confrontation ended with a ceasefire on May 10, after US President Donald Trump announced that both sides had agreed to halt hostilities.
PM Sharif said Pakistan desired peace, but only on the basis of “equality, justice and mutual respect”.
The Prime Minister added that Pakistan would continue to play a constructive role in regional conflict resolution.
Development pledges for Azad Jammu and Kashmir
During his address, PM Sharif announced several development projects for Azad Kashmir.
These included increasing the monthly stipend for Kashmiri refugees from 3,500 rupees to 6,000 rupees, establishing Danish School campuses and a sub-campus of Danish University in Muzaffarabad, and setting up a “Khidmat Centre” similar to the one in Islamabad.
He also announced Rs 1 billion in funding for the repair and construction of school roofs, the distribution of laptops to students, and expanded support through the Education Benevolent Fund for Kashmiri students to study abroad.
Sharif expressed condolences over the death of former AJK president Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the development of the region.
Addressing the session, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said Indian forces had failed to suppress the will of the Kashmiri people despite a heavy military presence.
Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Latif Akbar said the Kashmir dispute remained an unresolved issue on the United Nations agenda and criticised India’s unilateral actions in the region.
