MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The former chief of India’s intelligence agency RAW, A.S. Dulat, has held the Modi government responsible for the Pahalgam incident, calling it a clear failure of Indian security forces. In an interview with a British news outlet, Dulat stated that while the situation between India and Pakistan is tense, a full-scale war is not likely.
Speaking candidly, Dulat said, “The Pahalgam incident happened because there was no security there at all. This is a failure of India’s security institutions.” The former spymaster added that the idea of war being discussed in Indian media circles is mostly for show and to spread fear, pointing out that nuclear conflict is not a viable option.
“War is the last and worst option,” Dulat stressed, saying that despite rising tensions, there are always alternative routes to peace such as backchannel diplomacy.
The Pahalgam incident, which resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), has escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. While India rushed to blame Pakistan, Islamabad strongly denied involvement and offered full cooperation in a transparent and credible investigation, a move praised internationally.
Dulat said that although the situation is currently tense, efforts behind the scenes to defuse tensions are always ongoing. “Talks never really stop. Somewhere, somehow, someone is always in communication,” he said. “Even if the two countries are not speaking directly, there are always friendly nations like Saudi Arabia, Iran or the UAE ready to step in.”
The former intelligence chief also pointed to past remarks by former US President Donald Trump, who acknowledged the decades-long conflict between India and Pakistan and expressed hope that both countries would manage their affairs wisely.
Dulat’s remarks have supported Pakistan’s stance that diplomacy and peaceful engagement are the only sensible way forward. His honest assessment of the Pahalgam incident as a failure of India’s systems further highlights the danger of rushing to conclusions without evidence.
The Pahalgam incident has once again exposed the cracks in India’s internal security, while Pakistan continues to show maturity by supporting dialogue over aggression. With overblown war rhetoric coming from Indian quarters, Dulat’s comments provide a rare voice of reason, reminding the world that peace, not provocation, must lead the way.
