The Pahalgam terror attack in India's Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 in which 26 innocent people were killed was "based on their Hindu faith." India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reiterated this fact in an interview to foreign media.
In an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS, Jaishankar on being asked about the Pahalgam terror attack said, "Look first of all you have to understand what it was all about. It started because it was triggered by a very barbaric terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir where 26 tourists were murdered in front of their families, after their faith was ascertained. It was done to harm the tourism of the state and to create religious discord deliberately."
The foreign minister also did not hesitate in saying that the Pakistani leadership, including the army chief, who has now been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal have an "extreme religious outlook."
"An element of religion was introduced (to the attack) and to understand that you have to see that on the Pakistani side, their leadership, especially their army chief, is very driven by extreme religious outlook. So there is clearly some connect with the views expressed and the behaviour done," he said.
'Jugular vein' remark by Pak army chief
Asim Munir, promoted to the rank of Field Marshal from army chief by Pakistan after the Operation Sindoor faceoff with India is steeped in Islamic learning. His father was an imam, and he learned the Quran by heart. He uses Quranic verses in his speeches and does not miss a chance to share his knowledge of Islam at public platforms.
Trending Stories
)
Indian man sends explicit text to 14-year-old in UK, gets caught while trying to meet her: VIDEO
)
Iran War Fuels Shipping's Biggest Payday
)
Who is Jin Ze? Chinese TV and short-drama actor passes away at 33, agency confirms
)
'Possible escalation of tension, will lie with US', warns Iran after US strikes
)
'Trap to kill him': Indian man shot dead in US after delivering pizza
)
Prakash Raj extends support to Cockroach Janta Party as they protest in Delhi: 'Cockroaches rocked'
)
Singapore orders social media giants to block anti-Indian posts
)
Musk says India's birth rate has fallen below 'replacement level': What the term means and what official data reveals? | WION Decodes
)
Something big ahead? Lebanese army chief visits Pakistan amid reports of link to US-Iran negotiations
)
Mumbai concert tragedy: 28-year-old man dies after falling ill during live music event at Worli Dome
)
‘Spying among friends’? Pentagon’s SECRET Israel alert revives explosive Snowden claims
)
Trump secretly consulting nuclear experts amid renewed Iran attacks? What report claims
)
Trump turns on former adviser Bolton amid legal turmoil, labels him ‘dishonest’ and ‘bad guy’
)
Teach You a Lesson review: Kim Mu Yeol's k-drama delivers brutal fight against a broken education system
)
Queen Elizabeth's grandson Peter Phillips marries Harriet Sperling; King Charles, William and Kate attend
)
For the first time, Air Force to transport NEET question papers ahead of June 21 exam
)
Trump shares AI-video of himself riding bike in India, lion in jungle: What is it about
)
Who Is Kevin Kunta? Meet Ram Charan’s bodyguard, MMA fighter, who reportedly charges Rs 2–3 lakh per day
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Dhruv Rathee’s scriptwriter, journalist, IIT alumnus: Who are the 3 spokespersons announced by CJP?
)
Indians on H-1B visas exit Texas and its housing boom is dying. Other states could see similar decline
)
Old praise, new problems: Cockroach Janta Party spokesperson Saurav Das's 9-year-old tweet faces scrutiny
)
Who is Sriram Krishnan? Trump's Indian-origin AI advisor to exit White House end of June
)
Indian mangoes make inroads into the US market with Seattle event
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Phil Foden to Joao Pedro, 5 star footballers missing FIFA World Cup 2026
)
Wonderful World | A once-in-a-century celestial event: The 6-minute solar eclipse that will turn day into night
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How often should you restart your phone? Samsung & NSA have different answers
)
NASA satellite spots strongest sign of Super El Nino, confirming all predictions - What to expect?
)
'Cockroach, memes & reels': Why Indian GenZ's AI knowledge gap is at least 40 years behind from rest of the world
)
'Future doesn't look bright': Indian GenZ was busy debating Cockroach Janta Party, AI quietly took their jobs in last 1 month
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Headlight drain’: Does driving with your daytime lights on cost you extra fuel?
)
WION Decodes | India's fertility rate is falling: What does it mean for the economy and society?
It is at one such event, addressing the overseas Pakistanis, that he re-invoked the two-nation theory and the Hindu-Muslim binary as justification for the creation of Pakistan. In the same speech, he made invective-laden remarks about Kashmir, describing it as the 'jugular vein' of Pakistan.
"It was our jugular vein, it is our jugular vein, we will not forget it," Munir said in an address to Overseas Pakistanis in Islamabad on April 16.
