Explained: The controversy over Pakistan military officer's throat-slit gesture at Pahalgam attack protesters in London

Tensions outside the Pakistan High Commission in London escalated dramatically on Friday after a peaceful protest by the Indian and Jewish communities was marred by the actions of a senior Pakistani military officer.

The demonstration, held to condemn the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam , took an alarming turn when Colonel Taimur Rahat, the Pakistan Army and Air Advisor stationed in London, was caught on camera making a throat-slitting gesture toward the protestors.

The video of the gesture, showing Rahat holding a placard with Indian Air Force Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman’s image while drawing his hand across his throat, quickly circulated on social media, igniting widespread anger and condemnation.

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The protest outside the Pakistan High Commission witnessed the participation of over 500 individuals, including members of the Indian diaspora and Jewish community based in the United Kingdom.

Demonstrators gathered with Indian flags, banners, and placards, calling out Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorist groups and demanding justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 civilians, including one Nepali national.

Today, the Indian community staged a protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in London against the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives. Indians and Pakistanis confronted each other outside the embassy, leading to heated arguments. #London #pahalgamattack pic.twitter.com/CQt0KHt10w

— Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) April 26, 2025

Participants held signs reading “Stop Cross-Border Terrorism,” “Justice for Pahalgam Victims,” and “I am Hindu,” while chanting slogans such as “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Pakistan Murdabad.”

Many in the crowd carried placards denouncing terrorism and highlighting the need for global accountability.

One protester told ANI, “They (Pakistan) have nurtured a terror factory, and because of which our 26 people were killed in Pahalgam. We have gathered to protest against it."

The mood was solemn yet determined, with demonstrators observing a moment of silence to honor the lives lost during the horrific attack, described by many as the deadliest assault in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing .

WATCH: Pakistani officer’s threatening gesture

The demonstration, initially peaceful, took a disturbing turn when Colonel Taimur Rahat made a threatening throat-slitting motion aimed at the protesters.

In the widely shared footage, Rahat is seen making the gesture while brandishing a poster featuring Indian Air Force officer Group Captain Abhinandan Varthaman .

Pakistani diplomat makes a threatening gesture to protesting Indian diaspora in London. #Indians staged protest against #PahalgamTerroristAttack #PahalgamTerrorAttack #pahalgamattack outside Pakistan embassy in london. pic.twitter.com/zdR5aS9pbN

— Amandeep Dixit (@dixit_aman) April 26, 2025

Outraged by the behaviour, one of the protest organisers stated, “This is not just insensitivity — it is provocation. If Pakistan cannot condemn terror, they are complicit in it.”

A user on X reportedly drew parallels between the gesture and Pakistan’s alleged repression in Balochistan , commenting, “The throat-slitting gesture is a stark reminder of the lack of civility among Pakistan’s military and diplomatic figures. This isn’t just an isolated act, it mirrors the oppressive tactics used against peaceful protesters in Balochistan, where enforced disappearances and violence are rampant."

Indo-Jewish community joined protests

The protest was marked not just by Indian voices but also by strong support from the Jewish community in London, reflecting a growing sense of solidarity between communities facing common threats.

An Indo-Jewish protester shared his perspective with ANI, saying, “We support India because we face the same enemy: Islamist radicalisation. What happened in Pahalgam reminded us of the Hamas attack on Israel.”

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He further recalled personal experiences of terrorism, adding, “I was caught in a bomb blast in Bombay in the 90s. I escaped, but I know from personal experience how a bomb or a terrorist activity could affect people. We are here and we will always be together.”

He expressed admiration for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s counterterrorism efforts, stating, “PM Modi is doing great work, and I hope he does something to stop this terrorism."

Will Pakistan High Commission’s conduct be held accountable?

Adding to the protesters’ outrage was the conduct of officials within the Pakistan High Commission itself. Organisers criticised the embassy for playing loud celebratory music during the demonstration, calling it “a tone-deaf and disgraceful act that added insult to injury.”

Pakistan embassy - London blared celebratory music, are they mocking the innocent #Hindus killed by terrorist? #BritishIndians Indians gathered peacefully at the Pakistan Embassy in London to protest the horrific terror attack in Kashmir that killed innocent Hindus.… pic.twitter.com/9Tb1Yscxrx

— British Indians Voice 🇮🇳🇬🇧 (@BritIndianVoice) April 25, 2025

A statement from the organisers read, “Today’s protest was a call for justice and accountability. However, in a disturbing and shameful turn of events, officials within the Pakistan Embassy were seen playing loud celebratory music during the protest — a tone-deaf and disgraceful act that added deep insult to an already grievous injury.”

The protestors viewed the embassy’s actions as highly insensitive, especially given the grieving atmosphere surrounding the attack on civilians. “While the world mourns the victims, the embassy’s actions displayed a shocking lack of empathy and human decency,” the organisers said.

Amid the fallout from Rahat’s actions, demonstrators and community leaders are urging the UK Government to summon Pakistan’s High Commissioner for an official explanation.

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With inputs from agencies