Former Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram has stirred political waves with a bold and revealing statement about the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, claiming there is “no evidence whatsoever” linking Pakistan to the incident.
Instead, he revealed that initial intelligence reports and internal assessments suggest the attackers were Indian citizens, radicalized and trained within Indian territory.
In an exclusive interview with Indian news channel News24, Chidambaram questioned the Modi government’s handling of the investigation, saying:
“The government is quick to blame Pakistan every time an attack occurs in Kashmir. But where is the forensic evidence, where are the identities, where is the intelligence validation? We are operating on assumptions and political convenience, not facts.”
He further added:
“The preliminary report from local law enforcement and RAW (Research & Analysis Wing) raised internal red flags. There was no infiltration reported across the Line of Control around the time of the attack. In fact, two suspects had prior records of radical activity and had been under domestic surveillance in 2023.”
Chidambaram also slammed Operation Sindoor, the retaliatory offensive launched by the Indian Army days after the attack, calling it “reactionary and politically driven,” adding that:
“Launching military action without establishing the source of the attack is not justice, it’s desperation. We have lost the trust of the international community with this kind of diplomacy.”
The Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 tourists and injured dozens, had prompted swift condemnation from Pakistan, which offered full cooperation for a joint investigation. Islamabad categorically denied involvement and termed India’s accusations “baseless and diversionary.”
Chidambaram noted:
“When Pakistan offered to assist in a joint investigation, why did we refuse? Are we afraid the truth might be inconvenient?”
His statements have sparked debate within India’s political corridors, with opposition leaders demanding a parliamentary inquiry and accusing the BJP government of using national security as a political tool.
Chidambaram concluded his interview by urging transparency:
“It is time we stop playing the blame game and focus on real security reforms, counter-radicalization efforts, and accurate intelligence sharing. Blaming Pakistan for everything may score political points, but it will never solve our internal security crisis.”
