Pakistan army presents man it says India wrongly identified as militant killed in Kashmir

Islamabad (AP) — Pakistan's military refuted India's assertion that a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba operative was killed in Kashmir, declaring a man they say India mistakenly identified as the deceased militant. Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif, a military spokesperson, denounced the Indian report as fabricated during a live news briefing. The individual, identified by Sharif as Mohammad Asif, claimed to be a former Pakistani soldier who resigned in 2023.

Indian officials have not yet commented on the allegations. The announcement came on the heels of India's Ministry of Home Affairs announcing the killing of another Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, Musa, also known as Asif Fauji, in an intelligence-led operation in Indian-administered Kashmir. Indian officials characterized the killing as a significant setback for the militant group, stating that Asif Fauji was the last remaining member of a four-man command team responsible for multiple major attacks in the region since 2022.

At the press conference, Asif claimed to have been contacted by friends following reports of his death in Indian media outlets. He stated that upon seeing the reports, he confirmed to them that he was alive and well. Asif expressed astonishment at being featured in Indian media alongside his national identification card after his reported demise.

Lt. Gen. Sharif accused India of fabricating allegations and staging operations to pin the blame on Pakistan for militant violence, but did not offer any evidence to substantiate his claims. Sharif cautioned that such behavior was deeply shameful and regrettable, noting that no nation of integrity would resort to such tactics. When questioned if the allegations might provoke another military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, Sharif affirmed Pakistan's military readiness and threatened "very harsh" repercussions, warning that "this time, Pakistan's response to their strategic folly will be severe."

Pakistan and India have a contentious history, having fought three wars since gaining independence in 1947, two of which were fought over the contested region of Kashmir, which both nations claim sovereignty over.