PAK's Defence Minister admits supporting terrorists, says 'doing it for US, Britain': Reports

In a startling admission, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif conceded that the country had been involved in supporting and training terror outfits over the last three decades—at the behest of the United States and Western allies. The remark has sent shockwaves across diplomatic circles and is being seen as a direct vindication of India's long-held position on Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism.

Speaking to the media, Asif claimed, “We have been doing this dirty work for the US and the West, including Britain, for three decades.” While he called the strategy a “mistake,” he tried to shift the blame on external powers, arguing that Pakistan was used during the Cold War and the post-9/11 era.

The statement comes just days after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 tourists were brutally gunned down by Lashkar-linked terrorists. India has indirectly blamed Pakistan for harbouring and enabling terror groups responsible for cross-border violence.

In a contradictory tone, Asif also claimed that Lashkar-e-Taiba “no longer exists” and that he had “never heard” of The Resistance Front, the group that has claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack. He further escalated tensions by accusing India of “staging” the attack to create regional instability.

When questioned about a potential Indian military response similar to the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, Asif warned of an “all-out war” between two nuclear-armed nations, calling the possibility “worrisome.” His remarks come as Prime Minister Modi vowed to trace and punish every individual behind the Pahalgam massacre, while India announced a slew of diplomatic and treaty-level measures against Pakistan.