Pulwama Terror Attack: Exposing the deep-rooted complicity of Pakistan’s military establishment in cross-border terrorism, a senior Pakistani Air Force officer, Air Commodore Syed Muhammad Aurangzeb, has admitted the country’s involvement in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack. Referring to the assault as an act of “tactical brilliance,” Aurangzeb made the remark during a press conference attended by both domestic and international media. The statement directly contradicts Pakistan’s long-standing denials and efforts to distance itself from the incident.
What was Pakistan’s narrative on Pulwama?
Until now, Pakistan consistently denied any role in the Pulwama attack, where 40 Indian paramilitary personnel were killed by a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide bomber. Despite JeM claiming responsibility, Islamabad rejected the allegation and demanded evidence from India.
“We tried to tell them with our tactical brilliance in Pulwama…,” said Pakistan Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed during a press conference on Friday. His remarks dismantle this narrative and lend further credibility to India’s charges.
Why does this admission matter?
What makes this revelation especially significant is its source—the military establishment, which wields ultimate power in Pakistan. Unlike previous comments by civilian leaders, Aurangzeb’s statement came from within the institution that shapes Pakistan’s security and foreign policies. The visibly uncomfortable reaction of a Pakistan Navy spokesperson during the press conference highlighted the gravity of the blunder.
🚨 In a rare admission, a senior official from the Pakistan Air Force publicly acknowledged the country's involvement in the 2019 Pulwama terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 40 Indian paramilitary personnel. During a press conference, Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed… pic.twitter.com/RLKvxeAAmp
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Pak minister Fawad Chaudhry’s 2020 statement in Parliament
This is not the first time a Pakistani official has acknowledged the country’s role in Pulwama. In October 2020, then Science and Technology Minister Fawad Chaudhry boasted in Parliament about Pakistan’s success in the attack, calling it a victory under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s leadership. However, his remarks were dismissed by some as political rhetoric. Aurangzeb’s admission, by contrast, carries far more weight due to his military credentials.
The latest confession casts fresh doubt on Pakistan’s denial of involvement in other incidents, such as the April 22 Pahalgam attack.