Doubts surrounding Pulwama attack intensify as American journalist raises questions

ISLAMABAD: Recent statements by American journalist Kristen Fair on Monday have further cast doubt on the Indian government’s claims regarding the Pulwama attack.

The American journalist’s remarks, coupled with reports suggesting potential lapses in Indian Air Force operations during the engagement, raised doubts about the accuracy of India’s narrative and the effectiveness of its military tactics.

The Pulwama attack occurred on February 14, 2019 when an Indian security forces convoy was targeted in Pulwama, located in Indian Illegally-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The attack claimed the lives of 40 Indian soldiers alongside the alleged attacker, Adil Ahmad Dar.

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In the aftermath of the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government were quick to point fingers at Pakistan, which escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

India’s subsequent claim of conducting a retaliatory “surgical strike” on February 26 was met with scepticism, with Pakistan dismissing it as fabricated.

Additionally, Indian media circulating fake audio conversations purporting to confirm the elimination of “300 terrorists” added to the dubiousness of the claims.

Modi’s claims of the “surgical strikes” were heavily questioned, particularly in light of Pakistan’s downing of an Indian aircraft and the subsequent capture of Indian Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman.

Various United States (US) officials, defense analysts, and impartial Indian journalists have also refuted India’s assertion of shooting down a Pakistani F-16 aircraft during the skirmish.

The case of Adil Ahmed Dar, the alleged attacker, also raised critical questions about the Indian army’s handling of the situation and the underlying drivers of extremism in Kashmir.

Despite having been detained multiple times by the Indian army, Dar’s radicalisation reportedly stemmed from the prevalent violence in the region, not any alleged training from Pakistan.

The timing of the incident which coincided with the then-impending elections in India, including the Lok Sabha (lower house of Indian parliament) elections, has fuelled suspicions of the attack being politically motivated.

As Pakistan continues to unveil alleged false flag operations by India and new revelations emerge, doubts persist surrounding the Pulwama attack.