India has categorically rejected Pakistan’s assertions that civilians were killed during recent military operations. Officials have insisted those targeted were terrorists, unlike Pakistan’s assertions that they were ordinary citizens. The controversy has escalated since Pakistan conducted state funerals for the dead and raised eyebrows regarding their affiliations. India dismisses Pakistan’s claims of civilian casualties post Operation sindoor.
On these accusations, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri dismissed Pakistan’s account of events, noting discrepancies. He asked why civilians were accorded official honors and their coffins were draped in the national flag. The attacks targeted terror camps specifically and not non-combatants, as per India.
Connections to terror groups
Evidence indicates that most of the persons buried with state honors have connections to the proscribed organization Jamaat-ud-Dawa, which is associated with terror operations. Pakistani military personnel attended their funerals, adding fuel to the fire. India has also presented video footage of confirmed terrorists being openly rewarded, which added strength to its argument.
Charges of Pakistani support to terror organizations
India has long accused Pakistan of having terrorist organizations within its country. Some specific cases include Pakistan’s harboring of Osama bin Laden and its refusal to label some groups as threats. Misri emphasized that Pakistan’s behavior remains to erode the security in the region and expose its connections with terrorist organizations.
By denying Pakistan’s claims and emphasizing the funeral ceremonies, India is attempting to unveil what it describes as a distortion of facts. The diplomatic confrontation persists, further impacting the security equilibrium in the region. India remains resolute in its counter-terrorism approach, demanding accountability on the international front.
ALSO READ: Operation Sindoor: Anti-India campaign, Center issues key instructions