Islamabad(The COW News Digital) Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has challenged an Indian claim regarding the killing of an alleged Pakistani militant in Indian-administered Kashmir, presenting a former Pakistan Army soldier, Muhammad Asif, before the media during a press briefing.
According to the DG ISPR, Indian security authorities reported on September 29 that a joint operation had been conducted in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir. The following day, Indian authorities claimed that a Lashkar-e-Taiba militant had been killed and identified the deceased as Muhammad Asif Ilyas, also known as Hashim Musa, allegedly linked to Pakistan.
The Indian claims were subsequently repeated through official and media channels, according to the Pakistani military spokesperson. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry questioned the identification and said the person named in the reports was actually present before journalists in Pakistan.
Muhammad Asif was then brought before the media during the briefing. Speaking to reporters, he said he had learned through friends and social media that reports claiming he had been killed in Kashmir were circulating.
Asif said he was surprised by the reports because he was alive and living with his family in Rawalpindi. He added that he received several calls, including calls from Indian numbers, after the reports emerged. He said he blocked the numbers and informed his former military colleagues about the situation.
According to Asif’s account, he joined the Pakistan Army and later served with the Special Services Group (SSG). He said he retired from military service in 2023 and subsequently worked for a private security company. He said he remains available to serve his country if required.
The DG ISPR described the episode as an alleged false-flag operation and questioned the circumstances surrounding the Indian claims. He also pointed to what he described as inconsistencies between statements attributed to Indian military and government authorities regarding the identity and background of the alleged militant.
Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the incident was part of what Pakistan views as a broader pattern of attempts to associate Pakistan with militant activity in Kashmir. He referred to previous India-Pakistan flashpoints while discussing what he described as the use of such narratives for political and security purposes.
The Indian side has previously rejected Pakistani allegations concerning its handling of militant incidents and cross-border developments. The competing claims surrounding the latest incident could not be independently verified from the available reporting.
During the briefing, the DG ISPR also addressed several other issues, including Pakistan’s position on the security of Saudi Arabia and the implementation of the Mecca agreement. He said Pakistan remained committed to protecting the country and the holy sites.
On Afghanistan, he said the military operates under the federal government and that questions regarding official engagement or dialogue with Afghanistan should be addressed through the federal authorities. He added that Pakistan would continue responding to threats to its territorial security.
Asked about PTI’s planned long march, the DG ISPR reiterated the military’s stated position that the armed forces have no role in politics and said the government would provide information regarding political matters.
He also stressed the importance of the state and national security, saying that political and democratic activity depends on the existence of the state and its institutions.
