Towards the backdrop of heightened diplomatic tensions after the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani politician Malik Ahmad Khan has come to the defence of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Saifullah Khalid, who has been blamed by Indian companies for orchestrating the assault that left 26 civilians, nearly all of whom had been vacationers, lifeless.
Khan, a key political chief from Pakistan’s Punjab province, was noticed standing subsequent to Saifullah Khalid—alias Saifullah Kasuri—at a public rally on Might 28. Talha Saeed, son of LeT founder and 26/11 Mumbai terror assaults mastermind Hafiz Saeed, was current on the rally as effectively.
In a extensively shared video on social media, Malik Ahmad Khan is heard condemning India’s expenses in opposition to Khalid. “India, with out an investigation, has shaped a notion that Saifullah is liable for the Pahalgam terror assault,” he asserted, happening to allege that there is no such thing as a proof to corroborate the costs.
The Indian authorities had registered a First Data Report (FIR) in opposition to Saifullah shortly after the grotesque assault, which occurred within the picturesque hill city of Pahalgam. Witnesses described horrific particulars, claiming that the attackers demanded to know the victims’ faith, required them to say the Islamic Kalma, and shot those that had been deemed non-Muslims at point-blank vary.
The Resistance Entrance (TRF), suspected to be an LeT proxy, subsequently took accountability for the bloodbath.
Saifullah’s Hate Speech At The Rally
Throughout the rally held in Pakistan, Saifullah Khalid gave an inciting speech whereby he praised the terrorists and referred to the terrorist killed throughout India’s counter-attack operation as “martyrs.” He additionally hurled venom in opposition to India, Hindus, and the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP).
“I used to be knowledgeable that there was a terrorist assault in India on April 22, and later I got here to know that India had referred to me because the mastermind,” Khalid insisted. “We’re not going to be intimidated by firing and bullet pictures, and we wish to die martyrs,” he went on.
Pakistan Punjab Meeting Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan defends Pahalgam mastermind Saifullah Kasuri and accuses India of being liable for the Pahalgam terrorist assaultNotice : On Might -28, Pak politician Malik Ahmed Khan shared the stage with Talha pic.twitter.com/99oVQOXAg7
— Naren Mukherjee (@NMukherjee6) June 2, 2025
India’s Response: ‘Operation Sindoor’
In response, the Indian navy started ‘Operation Sindoor’ on the night of Might 7–8, concentrating on terrorist infrastructure throughout the border in Pakistan. In response to Indian safety sources, greater than 100 terrorists had been eradicated and a number of other terror camps had been decreased to rubble.
The operation mirrored a major ramp-up of India’s anti-terrorism technique and introduced worldwide consideration to Pakistan’s repeated abuse of its territory for launching terror assaults in opposition to India.
Diplomatic Fallout
Public endorsement by Malik Ahmad Khan of Saifullah Khalid can be certain to additional deteriorate strained relations between Islamabad and New Delhi. Indian policymakers have denounced the continuing safety of unmapped terrorists by Pakistan and appealed to the worldwide neighborhood to take motion in opposition to the growing impunity with which terror commanders stroll freely on Pakistani soil.
The Indian Ministry of Exterior Affairs will doubtless launch a agency diplomatic response within the coming days.
Background: Pahalgam Bloodbath
- Date of assault: April 22, 2025
- Location: Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
- Casualties: 26 vacationers killed, a number of others injured
- Perpetrators: The Resistance Entrance (TRF), affiliated with LeT
- Techniques: Identification-based killings; victims requested to recite non secular textual content earlier than being shot
As world stress is mounting, Pakistan’s home political assist for already recognized terrorists stays a trigger of great concern relating to its resolve in countering extremism.