Pakistan is advocating for an international investigation into the killing of 26 tourists in Indian Kashmir earlier this week, The New York Times reported. Quoting Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, the report stated that Pakistan is “ready to cooperate” with any inquiry led by global investigators.
While India maintains that Pakistani elements were involved in Tuesday’s massacre, Islamabad has firmly denied any role. Both nations claim Kashmir but control separate portions of the disputed region.
The terror attack has triggered a series of retaliatory actions. India has suspended the vital Indus Waters Treaty, while Pakistan has shut its airspace to Indian carriers. Asif accused India of exploiting the tragedy for political leverage and taking punitive measures “without any proof or investigation.”
“We do not wish for this conflict to escalate, as it would bring disaster to the region,” Asif warned during the interview.
Kashmir Resistance, also known as The Resistance Front (TRF), claimed responsibility for the massacre through social media. Indian agencies assert TRF is a proxy for Pakistan-based groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hizbul Mujahideen.
However, Asif dismissed these accusations. He insisted Lashkar-e-Taiba is “defunct” and incapable of coordinating attacks from Pakistan. “They have no operational base in Pakistan. Many are either in custody or under house arrest,” he told the newspaper.
Tensions remain high, with both nations cutting diplomatic ties and suspending bilateral agreements, raising concerns over regional stability.
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