After Bragging That Pulwama Attack Was Pakistan's Achievement, Imran Khan's Minister Backtracks

Pakistan was behind the deadly terror attack on Indian troops in Pulwama in February 2019, killing more than 30 CRPF men.

While this is a known fact and Islamabad's role has been established through probes, the only country that doesn't acknowledge it, is Pakistan.

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But on Thursday, at least briefly, the Pakistan government owned it up with a minister saying that it was a great achievement for the country under Prime Minister Imran Khan.

"We punched India by entering its territory. The success in Pulwama is an achievement for Prime Minister Imran Khan and the people of Pakistan," Fawad Chaudhry, a minister in the Khan cabinet proudly proclaimed on the floor of the National Assembly.

#WATCH: Pakistan's Federal Minister Fawad Choudhry, in the National Assembly, says Pulwama was a great achievement under Imran Khan's leadership. pic.twitter.com/qnJNnWvmqP

¡ª ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2020

As expected Chaudhry's admission left Pakistan and the Imran government embarrassed.

"I would like to thank him for admitting the truth concerning Pulwama terror attack. We had said right in the beginning that all the leads point towards Pakistan. The government of India subsequently took action against the terrorists that were harboured in Pakistan," former Indian Army Chief and Union Minister, VK Singh, told ANI.

"I am sure our government will utilise this admission by Pakistan to tell the world that Pakistan needs to be blacklisted by FATF and that nobody should give aid to Pakistan," he added.

AFP/ File

"This statement holds a lot of importance as it is a confession of Pakistan about Pulwama terror attack. Pakistan is an epicentre of terrorism. They have claimed ownership of the Pulwama terror attack and their minister has said that it is Imran Khan government's biggest achievement till date. It remains to be seen what we do further in this matter. Pakistan should be put in Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) blacklist. They should answer for the Pulwama terror attack," Lieutenant General (Retd) Vinod Bhatia said.

However, after the controversy, Chaudhry made a U-turn and said his remark was misinterpreted, adding that he was referring to what happened after the Balakot airstrikes.

The minister also retweeted a video, which said that Chaudhry's comment was taken out of context.

You are quoting @fawadchaudhry out of context

He was mentioning the events after Pulwama Attack.
The misadventure of Hindustan and the way Pakistan gave you the bloody nose, which is still hurting! ??

Watch the full clip. #NeverForget https://t.co/fErAXBrmnf pic.twitter.com/nggYiBNm6U

¡ª Fawad Chaudhry (Updates) (@FawadPTIUpdates) October 29, 2020

The dastardly terror attack on a CRPF convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on February 14, 2019, claimed the lives of 40 personnel. Terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle in the bus. The convoy had 78 buses in which around 2,500 personnel were travelling from Jammu to Srinagar.

AFP

Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) had claimed responsibility for the Pulwama terror attack. Pakistan had repeatedly denied responsibility for the attack.

Days later, India carried out an airstrike on JeM's Balakot terror training camp in Pakistan.