Pakistan Army rebuts Indian claim, presents Mohammad Asif, whom India claimed was killed in Kashmir

RAWALPINDI: Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry presented Muhammad Asif, a retired Havaldar of SSG, whom India claimed to have killed in Kashmir as a terrorist.

Addressing a press conference in Rawalpindi, the DG ISPR said India had carried out another false-flag operation on September 29.

He said that on the night of September 29, an Indian Army corps posted a statement on social media, claiming that it had conducted an operation in an area of occupied Kashmir.

According to the Indian Army’s claim, a terrorist was killed during the operation and the body of a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was also recovered. The militant was identified as Muhammad Asif, alias Hashim Musa.

The DG ISPR said India later claimed that Muhammad Asif was an SSG Havaldar. The Indian corps described the slain militant, Musa alias Asif, as a former soldier and claimed that he was identified as Muhammad Asif and belonged to Pakistan.

An Indian news agency also claimed to have released details of the alleged militant, including a service number. India further claimed that Asif had carried out attacks in different areas.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the Indian government had accused Muhammad Asif of involvement in various terrorist activities. He said the Indian government also claimed that three of Asif’s associates had been killed.

According to the Indian claims, Asif had allegedly carried out several attacks, including the Pahalgam incident.

“The Pakistani Army soldier whom India has been propagating against is present here,” the DG ISPR said.

Speaking to journalists, Muhammad Asif said he was a resident of Pindi Gheb in Attock district.

“Yesterday, I received calls from my friends saying that Indian forces had killed me. They came to know through social media that India had declared me martyred,” he said.

He said he started receiving phone calls after the fabricated reports about his death emerged.

“I was surprised because I was at my home. How could the Indian Army have killed me?” he said.

Muhammad Asif said he had retired from the SSG in 2023.

“I fought bravely for my country and will remain available to serve my country in the future as well. I strongly condemn India’s baseless and fabricated allegations,” he said.

He said he was currently working for a security company and living in Rawalpindi.

“India has made a false allegation against my country. I am alive, I live in Rawalpindi and I am standing before you,” Muhammad Asif said.

"India is sponsoring terrorist organisations"

The DG ISPR further alleged that India sponsors terrorist organisations for carrying out terrorism in Pakistan.

He said there were six reasons behind India’s “false-flag drama”.

“First, we know that India is the biggest country spreading terrorism in the world. India’s funding of Mukti Bahini and the TTP is no secret,” he said.

The DG ISPR said it was necessary to understand what was happening in occupied Kashmir, describing it as “the biggest prison in the world”.

He said that more than one million Indian Army personnel and officials of other institutions were present in occupied Kashmir.

“People in occupied Kashmir have to seek permission even to travel from one village to another,” he said.

“India tries to cover up its terrorism through such dramas. Today’s India has become an ‘encounter state’,” he said.

The DG ISPR said Pakistan would respond strongly if India took any action against it.

“If India wants to do something, let it come forward. Our response will be very strong,” he said.

He said Pakistan would make no compromise on national security and would take whatever measures were necessary to protect the country.

“If India wants to stage any drama, let it try. We are fully prepared for every action by the enemy. If they want to do something, let them. We are always prepared,” he said.

Pakistan reaffirms commitment to security of Holy Mosques

The DG ISPR also said Pakistan’s commitment to the security of the Holy Mosques was clear and firm.

He said Pakistan was fully committed to implementing the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement.

“Media discussions on the Makkah Alliance are not possible. Information regarding defence cooperation under the Makkah Alliance is completely confidential,” he said.

“The commitment of Pakistan to the security of the Holy Mosques is absolute,” the DG ISPR added.

DG ISPR declines to comment on politics

Responding to questions about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) long march and party founder Imran Khan, DG ISPR Ahmed Sharif said the military had nothing to do with politics.

The DG ISPR reiterated that the armed forces would not comment on political matters.