Delhi Blast: Former Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir leader Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has triggered a major political storm, days after the Delhi blast. (Image Credit: X/Jansatta)
In a shocking and provocative statement, Pakistani politician Chaudhry Anwarul Haq formerly the so-called Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir or PoK has openly boasted about striking India from the Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir. His remarks inside the PoK assembly after he was removed from office have come days after the deadly car blast near Delhi's Red Fort, in which at least 15 people were killed and many others were injured.
The comments have triggered strong reactions, raising new concerns about Pakistan's continued backing of cross-border terrorism.
Speaking in the PoK assembly, Haq referred to the earlier statements when he had threatened retaliatory attacks against India over the alleged violence in Balochistan.
He declared, “If you keep bleeding Balochistan, we will strike India from Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir and our Shaheens have done it. They still can't count the bodies.”
The video of his statement has now gone viral on X, mounting more pressure on Pakistan's political elite. The remarks by Haq seem to be an effort to show his relevance after losing the no-confidence vote, a moment many analysts call his political undoing.
Haq's references strongly allude to two major terror incidents:
A suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden car near the Red Fort on November 10, killing at least 15 people. Investigations later identified the mastermind as Dr Umar Nabi, part of a "white-collar" module tied to the Jaish-e-Mohammed. The module was busted in Faridabad hours before the incident.
Haq's public celebration of such attacks renews accusations that Pakistan-based groups and political factions continue to support extremist outfits targeting India.
Reports suggest that the Pakistani government has wasted no time in distancing itself from Haq's comments, terming them a "political blunder" by a disgruntled leader who is seeking attention since his removal from the PoK premiership.
This comes at a time when Pakistan is already under global scrutiny. Recently, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi accused Islamabad of “manufacturing terrorism” for political leverage and blocking peace efforts in the troubled Khyber region.
