'I pray for Allah’s mercy for our brothers': Turkey's Erdogan to 'brotherly people of Pakistan'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has backed Pakistan amidst heightened tensions with India. The Turkish presidency said in a statement that Erdogan on Wednesday (May 7) spoke to Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif following India’s Operation Sindoor against terror camps across the border. Erdogan expressed solidarity with Pakistan and said it supported Islamabad’s handling of the situation.

“Erdogan stated that Turkey was ready to do what it can to prevent the tensions from escalating, and that his diplomatic contacts in that regard would continue,” the statement read.

Erdogan also supported Pakistan’s calls for an investigation into the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack in India’s Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed.

It comes after Turkey earlier condemned India’s missile strikes on Pakistan and said such actions could lead to an all-out escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

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Erdogan on Wednesday himself posted a message on X, in which he extended condolences to the people of Pakistan.

Here is what Erdogan wrote on social media: “We are concerned that the tension between Pakistan and India could escalate into open conflict with missile attacks that have resulted in the martyrdom of numerous civilians.”

“I pray for Allah’s mercy for our brothers who lost their lives in the attacks, and I once again extend my condolences to the brotherly people and state of Pakistan.”

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Erdogan also backed Islamabad’s call for an independent investigation into the incident.

“We find Pakistan’s proposal to conduct an international investigation regarding the heinous terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir to be valuable,” Erdogan stated.

India’s response to calls for independent investigation

Indian Foreign Secretary on Thursday rejected Pakistan’s proposal of joining the investigation into the Kashmir terror attack, saying the previous such experiences have not been positive.

“I think the experience has not been positive, and it certainly doesn’t give us the confidence now to take at face value, Pakistani assertions of wishing to participate in a joint investigation. These are just delaying tactics. These are just stonewalling tactics,” Misri said while briefing journalists about Operation Sindoor.

“In fact, in the pursuit of justice for the victims of multiple terrorist attacks, whether it be Mumbai in 2008 or in Pathankot in 2016 and many others, in particular for these two attacks, India had offered to cooperate. India provided forensic evidence and urged Pakistan to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice,” Misri recalled.

“In particular, with regard to the Mumbai attacks of 2008, where a Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was captured alive, India provided extensive information and evidence related to the involvement of Pakistani terrorists in this attack. Cases were registered (in Pakistan), but you are all aware that these cases have not progressed despite the formation of judicial teams, and Pakistan has consistently stonewalled all efforts to move the investigation along,” the foreign secretary told journalists.