Pakistan ready for ‘neutral investigation’ into Pahalgam attack, says PM Shehbaz Sharif

In the midst of mounting tensions over the Pahalgam terror event, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated on Saturday that Islamabad is prepared for a "neutral investigation" into the fatal terrorist attack in the Jammu and Kashmir area, which killed 26 people. Sharif stated during a ceremony at a military academy in Abbottabad that "Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent, and credible investigation."

He further claimed that Pakistani troops are "fully capable and prepared to defend the country's sovereignty and its territorial integrity against any misadventure as clearly demonstrated by its measured yet resolute response to India's reckless incursion in February 2019" . Sharif's words came after Pakistan's defense minister, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, told the New York Times that Islamabad was "ready to cooperate" with any probe done by "international inspectors".

The attack in Baisaran, near Pahalgam, killed 26 persons, predominantly civilians. In response to the terrorism, India declared tough sanctions against Pakistan, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. New Delhi also deactivated the integrated checkpoint at the Attari border, reducing the entire strength of the Pakistani high commissions in India.