New Delhi, May 9, 2025
In a bold diplomatic move amid rising tensions, India has released what it terms as “irrefutable evidence” of Pakistan’s direct support for terrorism. At a press briefing in New Delhi and during a televised interview with Sky News, India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, presented a striking image that he said underscores Pakistan’s complicity in nurturing and glorifying terrorism.
The photograph shows Hafiz Abdur Rauf — a US-sanctioned terrorist and brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed founder Masood Azhar — attending the funeral of terrorists killed by Indian forces under Operation Sindoor. Clearly visible behind Rauf are senior Pakistani military officers in uniform. Coffins draped in Pakistani national flags lie in front of them, marking a ceremony that appeared to be state-sponsored.
“Let me show you this photograph from yesterday,” said Mr. Doraiswami during the interview. “This person here is a sanctioned terrorist under the American sanctions regime. His name is Hafiz Abdur Rauf. He's a brother of the founder of the terrorist group that you're mentioning. Look who is behind him — Pakistani military. Look at the coffins. They have the Pakistani national flag. If you're going to be giving terrorists state funerals, what does that make of your system?”
The High Commissioner’s remarks come just days after India launched a series of coordinated airstrikes on nine terror launchpads across Pakistan-occupied territory. The operation, dubbed Operation Sindoor, was carried out in response to a recent uptick in terrorist infiltration and attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
India has long accused Pakistan of sheltering and supporting terror networks that operate both within Pakistan and across the border into Indian territory. This latest photograph is being presented by Indian authorities as the most visible and damning confirmation yet of Islamabad’s deep involvement.
The government’s message is clear: the presence of Pakistan’s military at the funeral of known terrorists — coupled with the public display of the national flag over their coffins — amounts to not just silent support, but active endorsement of terrorism.
The Ministry of External Affairs has reportedly shared the image and supporting evidence with key international allies, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, and members of the United Nations Security Council. Indian officials are calling for global condemnation and stricter international scrutiny of Pakistan’s actions.
While Islamabad has yet to respond officially to the allegations, experts believe this fresh round of evidence may put Pakistan on the back foot diplomatically, especially with global attention on the rising threat of cross-border terrorism in South Asia.
As tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours continue to escalate, the international community watches closely, with many hoping that diplomatic engagement will prevail over further military confrontation.
