Pakistan’s restraint after Pahalgam exposed India’s narrative, Says Altaf Hussain Wani

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th May, 2026) Chairman of the Kashmir Institute of International Relations Altaf Hussain Wani said that India’s handling of the Pahalgam incident last year, followed by military escalation against Pakistan and crackdowns in occupied Kashmir, exposed New Delhi’s “false narrative” before the international community, while Pakistan emerged as a responsible regional peace actor through restraint, diplomacy and military preparedness.

In an interview to APP, on the first anniversary of Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, Wani alleged that the attack in Pahalgam had occurred near an Indian elite force camp, yet security personnel failed to respond for hours despite their close proximity.

He claimed that India blamed Pakistan and the Kashmiri resistance immediately after the incident without presenting credible evidence and subsequently launched widespread operations across occupied Kashmir.

“Several people were killed in different operations, but India failed to prove their involvement in the incident,” he said, alleging that nearly 20 Kashmiris lost their lives during the crackdown period.

Wani further accused India of targeting civilian infrastructure in Pakistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir through missile strikes, saying those killed were civilians with no links to military organisations.

He said Pakistan exercised remarkable restraint despite public pressure for retaliation and repeatedly offered cooperation for an independent international investigation into the incident.

“Pakistan openly said that if India had any evidence, it should share it and Islamabad would cooperate fully, even at the level of an international inquiry,” he added while talking to APP.

Referring to Pakistan’s military response under Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos, Wani said the confrontation disproved the long held perception that Pakistan lacked the capability to counter India in conventional warfare.

He stated that the escalation eventually prompted intervention by then US President Donald Trump, who publicly acknowledged his role in securing a ceasefire between the two nuclear armed neighbours.

“Pakistan accepted the ceasefire publicly and responsibly, while India approached global powers after realising the conflict was escalating,” he said.

Wani argued that the events elevated Pakistan’s diplomatic stature internationally, transforming the country from a regional actor into a global peacemaker and diplomatic hub.

He cited Pakistan’s participation in regional peace initiatives, including diplomatic engagement related to Gaza and efforts aimed at easing tensions between Iran and the United States, as evidence of Islamabad’s expanding diplomatic role.

According to Wani, while Pakistan pursued peace efforts over the past year, India intensified military operations in occupied Kashmir and attempted to divert international attention from regional peace initiatives.

He also accused New Delhi of pursuing policies that increased its diplomatic isolation globally, pointing to criticism from segments of India’s own political opposition regarding foreign policy choices and regional alignments.

Highlighting the Kashmir dispute, Wani said sustainable peace in South Asia remained impossible without a peaceful resolution of the longstanding issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He urged the international community, particularly the United Nations, European Union and major world powers, to play an active role in facilitating dialogue between Pakistan and India.

“Peace in the region cannot be achieved without resolving Kashmir,” he said, calling on global institutions to press India to engage in negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the dispute.