DG ISPR raises questions over India’s Kashmir militant claim

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has challenged Indian claims surrounding the alleged killing of a Pakistani national described by Indian media as a militant linked to the Pakistan Army.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Thursday, the military spokesperson presented former Pakistan Army havildar Mohammad Asif, saying the individual had been identified by India as a terrorist killed during an operation in the Kashmir region.

Lt Gen Chaudhry questioned the sequence of Indian military and media statements, saying the claims had emerged through a series of announcements beginning on September 29.

According to the timeline presented by the DG ISPR, India’s Chinar Corps initially announced that security forces had conducted an operation in the Korag area of Yousmarg. A subsequent statement claimed that troops had recovered the body of a suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba militant.

Indian media reports later identified the deceased as Mohammad Asif, alleging that he had previously served in the Pakistan Army and had been associated with its Special Services Group.

The Indian authorities and media also linked Asif to several militant attacks in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and described him as a wanted suspect in connection with the 2025 Pahalgam attack.

During the briefing, Lt Gen Chaudhry disputed the portrayal and questioned why an individual described as a former Pakistan Army soldier would be presented by India as evidence of a terrorist network.

He also referred to Indian government statements claiming that Asif, also known by the alias Hashim Moosa, had been killed as part of an operation against militants. The Indian side has described him as affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The DG ISPR said the Pakistani military had decided to publicly present Asif to challenge what it considers an inaccurate portrayal of his identity and background.

Indian authorities have previously accused Pakistan of involvement in the Pahalgam attack, while Islamabad has rejected the allegations and called for an impartial investigation.