What led to Pahalgam terror attack? Jaishankar points to Pak Army chief Munir's 'extreme religious' views

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday blamed “extreme religious outlook” propagated by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir behind the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people.

“It started because it was triggered by a very barbaric terror attack where 26 tourists were murdered in front of their families after ascertaining their faith. It was intended to harm tourism and to create religious discord,” he said during his visit to Denmark.

Jaishankar added, “You have a Pakistani army chief driven by an extreme religious outlook, so some connect with views expressed and conduct.”

On Wednesday, Jaishankar met his Danish counterpart, Lars Lokke Rasmussen, in Copenhagen and expressed appreciation for Denmark’s “strong solidarity and support” in combating terrorism.

In a significant move following a major military embarrassment during India’s recent ‘Operation Sindoor’, Pakistan has promoted General Asim Munir, the current Chief of Army Staff, to the rank of field marshal.

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According to a Reuters report, citing a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, General Munir’s promotion was approved by Pakistan’s Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Just a week before the April 22 attack on Pahalgam, Munir floated the two-nation theory and stressed that India and Pakistan are two different countries, as he delivered a provocative speech.

“You have to narrate Pakistan’s story to your children so that they don’t forget it when our forefathers thought we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religion is different, our customs are different, our traditions are different, our thoughts are different, our ambitions are different, that’s where the foundation of the two-nation theory was laid. We are two nations, we are not one nation," the army general said.

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‘Directly negotiated’

Meanwhile, Jaishankar said that India and Pakistan “directly negotiated” the ceasefire amid US President Donald Trump's claim that he "helped" both countries reach a truce.

Talking about the turn of events on May 10, Jaishankar said, “Yes, we have a mechanism to talk to each other as a hotline. On 10th May, the Pakistan army sent a message that they are ready to stop firing.”

When asked where the US was in the entire process, Jaishankar said, “US was in the United States.”