A political controversy has erupted after Chaudhry Anwar ul Haq, former “Prime Minister” of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), made a public claim suggesting Pakistan-linked groups carried out the November 10 Red Fort blast in Delhi. His comments, made during a speech in the PoK Assembly, have gone viral and sparked strong reactions in India.
Pakistani Leader’s Claim on Delhi Blast
In the video, Anwar ul Haq claims that groups operating from Pakistan carried out attacks “from the Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir,” referencing two terror incidents this year—the April attack in Pahalgam and the recent suicide bombing near Delhi’s Red Fort.
“I earlier said that if you keep bleeding Balochistan, we will respond from Red Fort to the forests of Kashmir. By the grace of Allah, we have done it,” he is heard saying during the address.
India has not responded directly to his statement, but officials have consistently maintained that such claims are attempts to distract from Pakistan’s long-documented support for cross-border terrorism.
Background: Red Fort Blast Investigation
The November 10 explosion near Red Fort was confirmed by investigators as a suicide attack linked to a “white-collar terror module.” The blast killed ten people and injured several others.
Forensic teams identified the driver as Umar Un Nabi, a doctor from Kashmir and an assistant professor at Al-Falah University in Faridabad. His severed leg was found pinned between the vehicle’s accelerator and steering column.
Delhi Police later connected him to Dr. Muzammil Shakeel Ganaie and Dr. Adeel Rather, who were arrested in Jammu and Kashmir. Officers say the two were in possession of more than 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate, detonators, timers, and assault rifles stored at a facility in Faridabad.
Pakistan’s Accusations Over Balochistan
Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of supporting unrest in Balochistan—charges New Delhi strongly rejects. Indian officials say these claims serve to overshadow Pakistan’s own failure to curb extremist networks within its borders.
Defence Minister’s Warning Heightens Tensions
Anwar ul Haq’s remarks come alongside comments by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who warned in an interview that the country must remain on “maximum alert” and cannot rule out the possibility of an “all-out war” with India.
“We cannot trust India in any way,” Asif said, adding that Pakistan remains prepared for any border escalation.
India has not issued an official statement on Asif’s comments, but diplomatic observers say tensions between the two neighbours have escalated significantly following the Delhi blast.
