BBC Asks Pakistan Minister About Terror Havens—His One-Word Answer Sparks Global Reactions

Pakistan Defence Minister Khwaja Asif claims there are no terrorists on Pakistani soil, despite mounting evidence and India’s accusations following repeated cross-border attacks.

New Delhi, May 12:
In a one-word response that is drawing scrutiny, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif denied the presence of terrorists on Pakistani soil during an interview with BBC journalist Azadeh Moshiri. The exchange occurred amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives.

When asked directly whether terror groups or their leaders reside in Pakistan, Mr. Asif replied emphatically, “No.”

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India has long accused Pakistan of sheltering terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)—responsible for major attacks including Pulwama (2019), Uri (2016), and Mumbai 26/11 (2008). In response to the Pahalgam killings, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, striking nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

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During the interview, Asif deflected blame by citing Pakistan’s legacy as a Cold War ally of the US, claiming that terror outfits operating today were once “mujahideen allies” trained and funded by the West during the Afghan-Soviet war in the 1980s.

“We are still being blamed for the people who were once allies of the United States,” Mr Asif said, adding, “These leaders are still alive, but they are not involved in any terror activity, either in Pakistan or across the border.”

This is Mr Asif’s second such admission in recent weeks. Following the Pahalgam attack, he told Sky News:

“We have been doing the dirty work for the US for the past three decades…”

India has dismissed Pakistan’s denials, pointing to video and intelligence evidence of terrorist activity directed from Pakistani soil. The UN Security Council, after a closed-door meeting post-Pahalgam, reportedly pressed Pakistan on the continued presence of Lashkar-e-Taiba and other terror outfits in the country.

Also Read: “Enemy Destroyed in the Sky”: India Confirms Downing of Pakistani Mirage During Operation Sindoor

India also alleged that “state funerals” were held for known terrorists killed during Operation Sindoor, with Pakistani Army officials present at the ceremonies—suggesting direct links between the Pak military and terror groups.

As global focus intensifies on Pakistan’s role in regional terrorism, Mr Asif’s remarks—meant to deflect—may have only added fuel to long-standing international concerns.

Tags:
Khwaja Asif, Pakistan Defence Minister, BBC interview, terrorism denial, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Pahalgam attack, Pulwama, Uri, India-Pakistan tension, US-Pakistan relations, Operation Sindoor, UN Security Council, OperationSindoor,

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#KhwajaAsif #PakistanTerrorDenial #BBCInterview #OperationSindoor #PahalgamAttack #LashkarETaiba #IndiaPakistan #PulwamaAttack #UNSecurityCouncil #TerrorSafeHavens