High Commissioner Draiswami Accuses Pakistan of Terrorism Sponsorship
New Delhi: Vikram Draiswami, the Indian High Commissioner in the UK, recently presented what he sees as clear proof of Pakistan’s role in fostering terrorism, both domestically and across Indian borders. In an interview with Sky News, he showcased a large image featuring officials from the Pakistani military alongside Hafiz Abdul Rauf, the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed leader Masood Azhar, taken during the funeral of a terrorist affiliated with their group.
In the image, a Pakistani officer in uniform stands behind Rauf, who is partially obscured by the Pakistan flag, further linking the military to the co-founder of the terrorist organization.
“Please show this photo from yesterday,” Draiswami urged, noting its relevance for viewers. He identified Rauf as a sanctioned terrorist under US regulations, emphasizing the military’s presence behind him.
The photos, revealed at a press conference in New Delhi, were designed to highlight a longstanding problem, showcasing how Pakistan and its military facilities have openly supported terrorists, according to Indian assertions.
This discussion occurred after India conducted coordinated airstrikes on nine terrorist infrastructure sites within Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir (POK), which were a response to the Pahargam attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22.
A primary target was the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM) headquarters in Bahawalpur, believed by Indian intelligence to be a significant center for terrorist activities. The BJP released graphics on social media featuring Abdul Rauf Azhar, underscoring his importance in various past attacks.
Abdul Rauf Azhar has been linked to several high-profile incidents, including the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in 1999, the 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament, and the assault on the Pathankot Airbase in 2016. Notably, during the Kandahar hijacking, India had to release three terrorists, including Masood Azhar, to secure the release of 190 civilian hostages.
Draiswami further criticized Pakistan’s calls for international inquiries, describing them as unreliable. He referenced the 2016 Pathankot attack, where Pakistani investigators were granted access to sensitive Indian airbases, but claimed there was no reciprocation in cooperation. He also highlighted the 2008 Mumbai attacks, pointing out that despite providing substantial evidence, Pakistani authorities either ignored or misused it, obscuring any links to state-sponsored terrorism.
