Red Fort: In a statement that has triggered major diplomatic concern across the region, former Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, publicly acknowledged that Pakistan-backed militants carried out attacks inside India — including operations stretching “from the Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir.” The remarks, made during a session of the PoK legislative assembly, have intensified scrutiny over Pakistan’s role in cross-border militancy and raised questions about the political climate surrounding Haq’s recent removal from office.
The revelation, which surfaced shortly after a deadly explosion near Delhi’s Red Fort metro station and a separate militant strike in Kashmir’s Pahalgam region, is being treated as one of the most explicit admissions by a political figure from Pakistan-administered territory. International analysts say the comments may also influence ongoing discussions on regional security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
According to Haq, his warnings to India were clear long before the recent wave of violence. Pakistani leader said the attack on Red Fort was an attack, explicitly linking the strike to a claimed retaliation for alleged actions in Balochistan — a statement that Indian officials are expected to react strongly to.
#BREAKING: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq admits Pakistan's role in the Delhi Red Fort bombing. pic.twitter.com/grAHElCa62
— OSINT Spectator (@osint1117) November 19, 2025
Statement Sparks Controversy After Deadly Delhi Explosion
Haq’s comments surfaced just days after a powerful car-bomb blast near the Red Fort metro station in New Delhi on 10 November, which killed 15 people. The explosion was one of the deadliest attacks in the Indian capital in recent years and led to heightened security measures across central Delhi. While no militant organisation officially claimed responsibility, Haq’s statement is now being linked to the incident due to its timing and content.
During the legislative assembly session, Haq claimed that Pakistani “Shaheens” — a term often used to refer to militant operatives — infiltrated Indian territory and executed attacks with “such intensity that the casualties could not even be counted.”
His remarks suggested that these operations were part of a broader strategy aimed at responding to alleged Indian actions in the Balochistan region of Pakistan. However, no independent verification has been presented to support Haq’s claims.
Links Drawn to April Attack in Pahalgam Forests
Haq also referenced militant activity “in the forests of Kashmir,” which observers are now associating with the 22 April attack near Pahalgam. That incident left 26 people dead and 16 critically injured, marking one of the bloodiest assaults on civilians in the region this year.
Reports indicated that attackers targeted tourists based on religious identity, a pattern that has been strongly condemned by Indian authorities and international human rights groups. The attack occurred in Baisaran Valley, located approximately 6 kilometres from Pahalgam town, and resulted in nationwide outrage.
Security agencies in India have not yet publicly responded to Haq’s admission, but intelligence sources have noted that such statements could have implications for cross-border counter-terrorism protocols.
Political Upheaval in PoK: Haq Forced to Step Down
The controversial declaration comes just two days after Chaudhry Anwarul Haq resigned as the Prime Minister of PoK, following the successful passage of a no-confidence motion against him on Monday. He lost the confidence of 36 members in the 52-seat PoK assembly.
The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) candidate, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, has now taken over as the new Prime Minister of the region after securing the same number of votes. The motion gained support from PPP and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), giving them a comfortable majority in the assembly.
The political shift was accelerated by defections from Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). Two PTI lawmakers joined PPP on Sunday, while ten others had defected earlier in October. These developments weakened PTI’s position, making it the minority group in the assembly.
Since the formation of the assembly in 2021, Rathore has become the fourth individual to assume the role of Prime Minister, highlighting ongoing instability in PoK’s governance.
A Long Political Career and Close Ties With Imran Khan
Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has had a longstanding career in PoK politics. He first entered the legislative assembly in 2006 and later served as its Speaker in 2010. A close associate of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, Haq represented PTI for several years.
In April 2023, following the disqualification of then-Prime Minister Tanveer Ilyas by a court ruling, Haq was elected as the 15th Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. He secured the position with support from PPP and PML-N after leading a forward-bloc rebellion within PTI. However, on 7 September 2023, he was formally expelled from PTI.
Haq’s political standing has fluctuated dramatically over the last two years, with internal party conflicts and shifting alliances causing repeated changes in PoK leadership.
India Expected to Respond Strongly to Cross-Border Admissions
Haq’s statement has sparked debate among global observers. Analysts say his remarks could complicate India-Pakistan relations at a time when both countries are under international pressure to maintain regional stability.
Diplomats familiar with South Asian affairs say that Haq’s comments — especially his admission of attacks reaching the Red Fort — may prompt India to raise the issue at international forums. The Indian government typically maintains a firm stance on cross-border terrorism and has repeatedly accused Pakistan of supporting militant groups.
Policy experts argue that Haq’s public assertion, even if politically motivated or exaggerated, adds weight to allegations that cross-border militant activities have political backing within Pakistan-administered regions.
Pakistan Yet to Issue an Official Clarification
The federal government in Islamabad has not issued a formal statement in response to Haq’s comments. Traditionally, Pakistani authorities deny involvement in militant activities across the Line of Control (LoC), asserting that Kashmiris act independently.
However, Haq’s direct acknowledgment — made on record during a legislative assembly session — could prompt questions for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, especially from Western governments monitoring regional security developments.
International observers note that Islamabad may attempt to distance itself from the remarks, framing them as personal political rhetoric following Haq’s ouster. Still, the timing of the statement, paired with recent attacks, has ensured that the issue will continue to draw attention.
Geopolitical Implications for South Asia
Haq’s admission comes at a time when South Asia is witnessing heightened political shifts:
- Pakistan continues to navigate economic and political instability.
- India is preparing for upcoming regional security dialogues.
- Cross-border tensions remain a key factor influencing bilateral relations.
Foreign policy experts from the UK and US have noted that explicit statements linking attacks in major Indian cities to political actors in PoK could affect how global powers view militancy in the region.
Western security think-tanks often highlight the need for transparent investigations into cross-border operations. Haq’s remarks may strengthen calls for enhanced monitoring and international scrutiny.
Humanitarian Concerns Over Escalating Violence
International human rights groups have also expressed concern over the rise in targeted attacks, including the Pahalgam incident where victims were reportedly selected on the basis of religious identity. Such patterns have historically drawn criticism from global watchdogs focused on protecting civilian populations in conflict-prone regions.
Meanwhile, families of victims from both the Delhi explosion and the Pahalgam attack are awaiting progress in investigations. Haq’s comments have reportedly intensified public demands for accountability.
Conclusion: A Statement With Far-Reaching Impact
Chaudhry Anwarul Haq’s public admission of Pakistan-based militant activity inside India marks one of the most direct acknowledgments of its kind in recent years. The timing — coinciding with his forced exit from the PoK premiership — raises questions about political motivations, yet the geopolitical significance remains undeniable.
As governments, analysts, and security agencies examine the implications of his remarks, one thing is clear:
Haq’s statement has added a new layer of complexity to an already tense regional landscape.
His claim — that militants carried out strikes “from the Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir,” and that these were linked to alleged actions in Balochistan — is likely to remain a focal point in diplomatic discussions in the coming months.
