Pakistan Army presents retired soldier alive to refute Indian media claims
Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry presented retired Pakistan Army soldier Mohammad Asif alive before journalists on Thursday, refuting Indian media claims that he had been killed in an operation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The military spokesperson slammed the reports as a false flag operation staged by the Indian political and military establishment, asserting that Asif was safe at his home in Attock district.
The press briefing followed reports across Indian news platforms claiming that an individual wanted in connection with the April 22 Pahalgam attack had been neutralized in an encounter in the Korag area of Yousmarg. Indian outlets identified the man as Mohammad Asif, also known as Hashim Moosa, alleging he was affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and had previously served as a havildar in the Pakistan Army.
Timeline of the Alleged Incident
Lt Gen Chaudhry laid out a five-point timeline during his briefing to dismantle the official narrative broadcast across the border. The sequence began on the night of September 29, when the Indian corps deployed in the region issued a tweet claiming that joint intelligence reports had prompted an operation by the Indian Army, police, and Central Reserve Police Force in Korag.
The following morning, on September 30, Chinar Corps posted that security forces had recovered the body of a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist. The military spokesperson detailed how Indian media outlets amplified the government claims, celebrating the alleged neutralization of a target after what they described as six months of hard work.
Asif Rejects Allegations in Person
Standing before the media podium alongside the ISPR director general, Asif recounted how he first learned of his reported death through social media and phone calls from anxious friends. Asif confirmed he was inducted into the Pakistan Army in 2000, joined the SSG in 2005, served for 18 years, and retired in 2023.
Asif strongly condemned the allegations linking him to militant attacks, emphasizing that his physical presence in the room proved the reports were entirely fabricated. Following the initial false broadcasts, Asif stated he informed his unit of the situation, and officials instructed him to block incoming calls from Indian numbers while the ISPR handled the response.
Pakistan Warns India of Severe Retribution
Addressing the broader geopolitical implications, Lt Gen Chaudhry warned Pakistan would exact a severe and harsh retribution if India attempted any military action based on the fabricated intelligence. The DG ISPR maintained that India for decades had been carrying out false flag operations against Pakistan.
When asked by reporters about potential border escalations stemming from the episode, the military spokesperson made it clear that Pakistan was always ready, if they wanted to do anything. The briefing concluded without any indication from Indian authorities regarding a retraction of the initial military claims.