The Pakistani military has made a major concession about its role in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, which killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir. A high-ranking Pakistan Air Force officer, Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed, admitted the nation’s role in the attack at a press conference, calling it an act of “tactical brilliance.”
Ahmed’s statement is a departure from Pakistan’s decades-long denial of responsibility for the attack. The official’s comments preceded Director General ISPR Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry and a Navy spokesperson. Chaudhry’s presence is intriguing, given his father’s previous history of al-Qaida associations.
The statement follows years of diplomatic pressure and denials by Pakistan. Earlier, Islamabad had insisted on evidence from India despite the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) having openly claimed responsibility for the attack. Ahmed’s statement now acts as a de facto acknowledgment of Pakistan’s role.
“We attempted to communicate that by our tactical acumen in Pulwama,” Ahmed said, further stating that Pakistan’s military would maintain the country’s pride and trust at any cost. The remark has implications for Pakistan’s narrative on terrorism and its relationship with India.
The Pulwama attack created an increase in tensions between India and Pakistan, with India responding with an aerial strike on a JeM terrorist training camp at Balakot. The aftermath of this strike led to an air dogfight and the capture of Indian pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who was later released.
Ahmed’s statement will likely revive the haunting memories of controversies regarding Pakistan’s terrorism and the consequences of hosting terrorists. To make matters worse, the statement occurs at a time of deteriorating relations with India.
