In the aftermath of the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, that left at least 26 tourists dead on Tuesday, former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Shesh Paul has described it as the "Pulwama 2 moment of India". Drawing parallels with the October 7 Hamas-style assault on Israel, Paul alleged that the attack was orchestrated by Pakistan's military.
“This is the Pulwama 2 moment of India. This was a Hamas-style attack on 7 October on Israel. It's not a coincidence that Asim Munir (Pakistan Army chief) uttered illogical words two days back, and then such an attack takes place where the religion of the tourists was asked,” Paul told ANI.
He called for a decisive and fitting Indian response, akin to Israel's retaliatory actions. “Our response should be appropriate, something like how Israel responded... This terror attack was unleashed by the Pakistan army. I have been saying that these are SSG (Special Service Group) commandos of the Pakistan army posing as terrorists,” he stated.
Paul went further, advocating for a geopolitical break-up of Pakistan: “It was a well-planned attack... Let them (Pakistan) be alert! I appeal to all the people from Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and POK to revolt against the Pakistan army's terrorist actions and declare independence. India should break Pakistan army's back and break Pakistan into four parts.”
The former DGP directly accused Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir of masterminding the assault. “All of this is being done under Asim Munir's command... Pakistan army chief wants to escalate the situation. He wants to prove his credentials... Let him first prove his identity,” he said.
The attack came just days after General Munir delivered an anti-Hindu speech at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad. He emphasized the two-nation theory and claimed India and Pakistan are inherently different, declaring: “We are two nations. We are not one nation... Our forefathers, they have sacrificed immensely, and we have sacrificed a lot for the creation of this country, and we know how to defend it.”
The Pakistani Army chief also reiterated his country's claim over Kashmir, stating that no global power could sever Kashmir from Pakistan.
It’s noteworthy that General Munir served as the chief of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) during the Pulwama attack in February 2019.
On Tuesday, five to six terrorists opened fire on tourists in Baisaran, Pahalgam. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers selectively targeted Hindu tourists.
