RAWALPINDI: A Pakistani soldier whom Indian military authorities had reportedly claimed was killed in an operation in occupied Kashmir appeared alive during a press conference held by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Director General ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry introduced Havaldar Muhammad Asif to the media during the briefing and said India’s Chinar Corps had claimed that the Pakistani soldier was killed during an operation and that his body had also been recovered.
The DG ISPR then invited Havaldar Asif to speak for himself and explain the circumstances surrounding the claim.
Speaking to the media, Muhammad Asif said he is a resident of Pindi Gheb in Attock district. He said he learned through friends and social media that reports were circulating claiming that the Indian Army had killed him in occupied Kashmir.
Asif said he was surprised by the reports because he was alive and at home at the time.
He further said that after the reports emerged, he began receiving repeated calls from unidentified Indian numbers, with callers asking him various questions. According to Asif, his personal information was used in connection with the reported claim of a military operation.
He said he had provided the ISPR with details regarding the incident.
Recalling his military career, Asif said he joined the Pakistan Army in 2000 and became part of the Special Services Group (SSG) in 2005. He said he served in the military for 18 years before retiring in 2023.
