News Analysis |
On Tuesday 19th February, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs overlooked Prime Minister Imran Khan’s proposal to share evidence and conduct an investigation of the Pulwama attack, and instead accused Imran Khan of “refusing to acknowledge the attack on our security forces in Pulwama”.
Raveesh Kumar, the spokesperson of New Delhi’s Ministry of External Affairs, stated, “The Prime Minister of Pakistan has neither chosen to condemn this heinous act nor condole with the bereaved families”.
In response to Imran Khan’s stance that Pakistan has no connection with the Pulwama attack, Kumar negated this reality, “Disclaiming any link between the terrorist attack and Pakistan is an oft-repeated excuse by Pakistan.”
Accusing Pakistan as the “nerve-center of terrorism”, the spokesperson went on to say, “The Pakistani prime minister has insinuated that India’s response to the terror attack is determined by the forthcoming general elections.
“The Pakistani Prime Minister has ignored claims made by the Jaish-e-Mohammad and the terrorist who perpetrated this heinous crime. It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan and that should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action.”
Labelling Imran Khan’s offer to investigate the attack should India provide evidence as a “lame excuse”, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson stated, “Proof was provided in the horrific 26/11 Mumbai attack, despite this, the case has not progressed for over the past 10 years. Likewise, there has been no progress on the terror attack on the Pathankot air base.”
Kumar nullified Pakistan’s promises of carrying out an investigation stating, “Promises of guaranteed actions ring hollow, given the track record of Pakistan.”
Read more: Pakistan will retaliate to any adventurism from India: PM Khan
Accusing Pakistan as the “nerve-center of terrorism”, the spokesperson went on to say, “The Pakistani prime minister has insinuated that India’s response to the terror attack is determined by the forthcoming general elections. India rejects this false allegation. India’s democracy is a model for the world, which Pakistan could never understand.”
Indian Ministry of External Affairs asserted that Pakistan must stop “misleading the international community” and to take “visible action” against terrorism.
On the very same day, Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of the Indian state of West Bengal questioned “the timing of the Pulwama attack”. News 18 reports that Mamata Banerjee directly targeted the BJP leadership and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, observing that he is not the “only patriot in the country”.
On Tuesday, the UN Secretary-General issued a statement urging both countries to resolve the conflict with immediate negotiations aimed at “defusing the tension”.
Moreover, she questioned why the state and army personnel failed to protect a convoy consisting of 2,500 CRPF Jawans despite intelligence reports that predicted such an attack.
Banerjee also targeted Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and accused him of “starting the strategy of the fight for a fight, kill for kill, and no peace talks”. Chief Minister West Bengal went on to warn the citizens of her state against the “provocative trap for spreading communal violence” and informed them of “fake messages being forwarded by RSS” that talk about the importance of “acting against Pakistan”.
Pakistan Strives for Peace Despite India’s Treachery
On Monday, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi informed of the letter he had written to United Nations Security General, Antonio Guterres, and requesting the United Nations to help “de-escalate” the ongoing tensions triggered by the Modi-led Indian government with its campaign of maligning propaganda against Pakistan following the Pulwama attack. While speaking to a senior anchor on ARY News, he stated that his letter to UN Security General had expressed Pakistan’s concerns over “malicious tactics” exercised by the New Delhi before the upcoming General elections in their country.
Read more: Pulwama attack: India continues hostility towards Pakistan
On Tuesday, the UN Secretary-General issued a statement urging both countries to resolve the conflict with immediate negotiations aimed at “defusing the tension”. Antonio Guterres also offered the assistance of the United Nations as a mediator to reach an agreeable solution.
While commenting on the ongoing tension on Samaa TV, Foreign Minister Qureshi informed that the Foreign Office is taking appropriate measure to present all the countries across the region with Pakistan’s narrative and our willingness to cooperate with the investigation on the Pulwama attack. He stressed that the stance taken by Pakistan is “reasonable”, and all Pakistani ambassadors across the globe have been briefed.
Hamid stated that Modi seeks to build a tough image of a leader who can “permeate the borders of Pakistan” and he does not want a large-scale war, but a conflict that creates similar fervor as the Gujarat Massacre of Indian-Muslims.
Foreign Minister Qureshi also highlighted Mamata Banerjee’s accusations against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, arguing that “she also mentioned the coincidental timing of the Pulwama attack with the forthcoming Indian general election”. Qureshi stressed that “voices, such Mamata Banerjee, are rising from within India” and the truth is bound to come out. Qureshi also highlighted China’s decision to make “wise” decisions after reviewing all the evidence and stressed that Indian allegations on Pakistan are baseless.
Is India Mongering for War?
In his address on the Pulwama attack, Prime Minister Imran Khan warned India that while starting a war is easy ending a war is not in our hands. While commenting on Prime Minister Khan’s address and the Indian response on News 7, Zaid Hamid noted that it is “evident that India is gearing up for an attack, and the attack is expected any moment”.
Senior defense analyst Zaid Hamid continued, “There are certain perquisites to a military attack, certain acts which need to be undertaken to set the stage for war with a country. One signal is calling back your ambassador, you create fervor for war throughout your country, you launch a propaganda war to incite public opinion, initiate information warfare, and start asking the country’s (Pakistan’s) citizens to leave your territory.”
Read more: The secret behind Pulwama Attack – Maleeha Hashmey
“The state also bans the products and trade arrangements of the country, and more importantly, you begin military exercises, bring your jets close to the borders and begin army preparations. All these signs prove that an attack is going to take place”. He asserted that the Pakistan Army, Air Force, and Navy are fully prepared with a counter-strike strategy. Hamid stated that Modi seeks to build a tough image of a leader who can “permeate the borders of Pakistan” and he does not want a large-scale war, but a conflict that creates similar fervor as the Gujarat Massacre of Indian-Muslims.
Mina Jahangir with additional input by News Desk.