Blood in the Valley: Victims Speak as Adil Raja Points Finger at Pakistan's Army Leadership.

In a startling revelation, former Pakistani military officer Major Adil Raja has accused Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, of orchestrating the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives on April 22, 2025. Raja alleges that Munir directed Pakistan's intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to carry out the assault, which targeted non-Muslim tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Baisaran Valley. The Attack: A Targeted Massacre On April 22, five militants disguised in local security uniforms infiltrated the Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist destination near Pahalgam. Armed with M4 carbines and AK-47s, the assailants segregated men from women and children, demanding the recitation of the Islamic Kalima to identify non-Muslims. Those unable to comply were executed on the spot. Among the 26 victims were 25 tourists, including several newlywed couples, and a local Muslim pony ride operator, Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who was killed while trying to protect the tourists. Adil Raja's Allegations Major Adil Raja, a former Pakistani army officer, took to social media to claim that General Asim Munir had ordered the ISI to execute the Pahalgam attack. Raja's allegations have intensified scrutiny on Munir, who has been under fire for his "extreme religious outlook," which Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar linked to the radical motivations behind the attackers' actions. Domestic Backlash in Pakistan The attack has sparked outrage within Pakistan, with citizens taking to social media platforms to demand Munir's resignation. Hashtags like #ResignAsimMunir and #PakistanUnderMilitaryFascism trended on X (formerly Twitter), reflecting public anger over the army's alleged involvement in the attack. Critics accuse Munir of using cross-border terrorism to maintain political control and suppress dissent. International and Indian Responses The international community has widely condemned the Pahalgam attack. In response, India launched "Operation Sindoor," a large-scale counter-terrorism operation targeting nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The operation was seen as a direct response to avenge the Pahalgam killings. The Indian government also took diplomatic measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, expelling Pakistani diplomats, and closing borders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that those behind the heinous act would be brought to justice. Major Adil Raja's allegations against General Asim Munir have added a new dimension to the Pahalgam terror attack, implicating the highest levels of Pakistan's military establishment. As investigations continue, the international community watches closely, awaiting accountability and justice for the victims of this brutal assault.