Pakistan’s military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry has called India “the biggest sponsor of terrorism and a terrorist state in the world,” at a press conference in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

Chaudhry accused India of supporting groups including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army, and of staging what he called “false flag operations” to defame Pakistan. He said Pakistan’s armed forces were fully prepared to defend the country and warned of a “very painful response” if India created any provocation.

The DG ISPR also presented a man identified as Asif alias Musa, whom Indian reports had claimed was killed by Indian forces. Asif appeared at the press conference and said he was alive, living in Rawalpindi, and had retired from Pakistan’s SSG in 2023.

Chaudhry offered to have any evidence of Pakistani involvement examined through a third party. India has not officially responded to the remarks.

Chaudhry named the Mukti Bahini, the Tamil Tigers’ LTT, the TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army in his remarks, alleging decades of Indian involvement. He said India was becoming a victim of its own trait and accused New Delhi of attributing its internal problems to Pakistan.