Pakistan Deputy PM Sparks Outrage by Calling Pahalgam Terrorists ‘Freedom Fighters’

New Delhi/Islamabad: Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has sparked a major diplomatic row by referring to the terrorists behind the recent Pahalgam terror attack as “freedom fighters,” drawing sharp criticism from India and triggering widespread condemnation.

Speaking at a press conference, Dar claimed that the attackers—responsible for killing 26 innocent civilians and injuring over 60 in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley—were not terrorists but “freedom fighters resisting occupation.” His controversial remarks came just days after the brutal attack that targeted unarmed tourists, including women and children.

In a further escalation, Dar warned India against making any unilateral moves to alter the Indus Waters Treaty, calling such action an “act of war.” The statement appears to be a response to growing calls in India to revisit the 1960 treaty in light of Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border terrorism.

India has strongly rejected Dar’s comments, stating that glorifying terrorism under the guise of political rhetoric is unacceptable and further isolates Pakistan on the global stage. Indian officials emphasized that the Pahalgam attack was a clear act of terror and that attempts to justify it only expose Pakistan’s continued patronage of extremist elements.