Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said India was hiding behind a false narrative to distort facts and divert attention from its alleged acts of aggression and sponsorship of terrorism in Pakistan.

In an exclusive interview with RT Arabic, Lt Gen Chaudhry revealed that it was the Indian Ministry of Defence that requested a ceasefire following recent cross-border escalations, to which Pakistan agreed in the interest of peace and stability.

“To understand the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, it is imperative to look at the broader context,” said the DG ISPR. “India has been actively involved in sponsoring terrorism in the region, particularly in Pakistan.”

Referring to the recent Pahalgam incident, he criticised the Indian media for immediately blaming Pakistan. “Within minutes of the incident, Indian social and mainstream media began hurling baseless accusations towards Pakistan. Yet, two days later, the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs admitted that investigations were still ongoing. Where is the wisdom in levelling allegations without proper evidence?”

Lt Gen Chaudhry stated that Pakistan had offered full cooperation with an impartial international investigation, but the Indian government rejected the proposal. “Instead of choosing diplomacy, India chose unilateral aggression. Missiles were fired at our mosques, martyring women, children and the elderly.”

He further said that India, which he described as the “real patron of terrorism” in Pakistan, is supporting extremist groups ranging from Taliban factions to insurgents in Balochistan.

Speaking about recent military exchanges, the DG ISPR disclosed that India launched attacks on the night of May 6 and 7, prompting the Pakistan Air Force to shoot down five Indian aircraft. “On May 9 and 10, India fired more missiles in an apparent attempt to instil fear, but they forgot that the Pakistani nation and its armed forces never bow down.”

He maintained that Pakistan responded with “utmost caution and responsibility” on the morning of May 10, targeting only Indian military installations. “Not a single civilian target was hit. It was a fair, proportionate and balanced response.”

According to Lt Gen Chaudhry, it was following Pakistan’s measured retaliation that India’s own defence ministry reached out to request a ceasefire. “We said why not? We want peace and stability in the region,” he said, commending Pakistan’s diplomatic corps for effectively engaging the international community throughout the crisis.

Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to peace, the DG ISPR added, “We are not a violent nation. We are a mature, serious and responsible state. Peace is our top priority.”