From calling terrorists 'militants' to holding Pakistan accountable: How foreign media changed its tune

(Left) BBC and The New York Times reported on the Pahalgam attack terming the terrorists 'militants'. (Top right) Al Arabiya's anchor Nicole Tannoury in an interview with Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif and (bottom right) Sky News anchor Yalda Hakim with Pakistan’s information and broadcasting minister Attaullah Tarar

On April 22, when terrorists attacked tourists in Kashmir's Pahalgam and claimed 26 lives, the BBC and the New York Times called the gunmen "militants", drawing sharp disapproval from both India and the US. Now, however, several foreign media, especially broadcast channels, have been making waves on social media by asking tough questions to Pakistan's leaders, leaving them fumbling and flustered.

Here's a breakdown of how the international press changed its narrative on the India-Pakistan conflict:

April 22: The New York Times says tourists were gunned down by 'militants' in Kashmir

While reporting the Pahalgam terror attack, The New York Times chose to term the gunmen as "militants," drawing strong objection from India and the US. The article headlined 'At Least 24 Tourists Gunned Down by Militants in Kashmir,' stated: "Militants opened fire on a group of tourists in the Indian-administered region of Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least two dozen and injuring many more, according to government officials and local media reports."

The US House Foreign Affairs Committee slammed the coverage and shared an edited version of the headline on X, replacing the word 'militants' with 'TERRORISTS'. "We fixed it for you. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK, plain and simple," they said.

Hey, @nytimes we fixed it for you. This was a TERRORIST ATTACK plain and simple.Whether its India or Israel, when it comes to TERRORISM the NYT is removed from reality. pic.twitter.com/7PefEKMtdq
House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority (@HouseForeignGOP) April 23, 2025

April 24: BBC says 'militants' attacked tourists in Pahalgam

In its article, 'Pakistan suspends visas for Indians after deadly Kashmir attack,' the British public service broadcaster reported: "Pakistan has responded with tit-for-tat measures against India as tensions soared following a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists."

India expressed strong disapproval of the BBC’s coverage of the Pahalgam attack, particularly objecting to the description of terrorists as “militants”. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sent a strongly-worded letter to Jackie Martin, BBC's India Head. “A formal letter has been sent to the BBC on terming terrorists as militants. The External Publicity Division of the MEA will be monitoring the reporting of the BBC,” Indian news agency PTI quoted an official as saying.

Moreover, on social media, users flagged that the headline sounds misleading and wrongly portrays India as the killer.

April 25: On Sky News, Pakistan's defence minister admits to country funding terrorism 

During a live interview with Sky News' presenter Yalda Hakim, Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif inadvertently admitted to the country's history of funding terrorism.

"You do admit, Sir, that Pakistan has a long history of backing, supporting, training, and funding these terrorist organisations?" Hakim asked, to which Asif replied: "Well, we have been doing this dirty work of the United States for three decades... and the West, including Britain."

The admission appeared to confirm suspicions about Pakistan's involvement with terror groups.

We have been doing the dirty work of the United States for three decades.Pakistans Defence Minister Khawaja Asif spoke to me last night in a remarkable and wide ranging interview about the escalating situation in Kashmir. India is blaming Pakistan who says there is no pic.twitter.com/QzHM6d3CsG Yalda Hakim (@SkyYaldaHakim) April 25, 2025

May 7: Sky News exposes contradictions in Pakistan's stance in live interview

In another interview with Sky News, Pakistan’s information and broadcasting minister Attaullah Tarar was left speechless after he claimed that no terrorist camps exist in the country, and Hakim reiterated that Pakistan's defence minister himself had admitted to backing and funding terror groups in the country at the US and Britain's behest.

Further, when Tarar said that after 9/11, Pakistan was the frontline state in eliminating terrorism and invited Hakim to visit the country, the journalist reminded him that Osama Bin Laden was found in Pakistan. "I have been to Pakistan, and we know that Osama Bin Laden was discovered in Abbottabad in Pakistan," she said.

Pakistan Minister Tarar falters as Yalda Hakim exposes Pakistan's lies about terror camps.Attaullah Tarar faced embarrassment after Hakim highlighted Pakistans history of sponsoring terrorism, citing Khawaja Asifs recent admission that Pak supported terror groups for decades. pic.twitter.com/TCGrLlfKSE
Allen Hampton (@Hamp_Allen) May 7, 2025

May 8: Sky News uncovers Pakistan's unwillingness to eradicate terror groups in the country

During a live interview with Pakistan's high commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, Sky News' presenter Yalda Hakim highlighted several instances where Pakistan had refused to engage in investigations following major terrorist attacks in India, suspected to be backed by Pakistan.

Faisal stated, "Pakistan's first choice was peace, and we insisted on that. We chose the best way forward, believing that, okay, don't believe us, don't believe the Indians believe the international community."

Hakim responded with a fact-check.

"I just want to point out to the investigations because in 2001, Indian Parliament was attacked and Pakistan was invited to be part of the investigation. In 2008, Mumbai attacks took place and the finger of blame was pointed to Pakistan. It was called on for investigation," Hakim said. "In 2016 and 2019, Pakistan was invited for an investigation during Uri and Pulwama attacks. At all these junctures, Pakistan may have co-operated on surface and but it didn’t do anything to prevent these terror groups from flourishing in the country."

In response, the Pakistan diplomat said, "First, we need to get our facts right. Somebody has given you the paper."

"No one has given me the paper, actually. I spoke to, and I've been documenting and following this," Hakim replied.

Pakistans first choice was peace. Pakistans High Commissioner to the UK, Mohammad Faisal, on Pakistans desire for an international investigation into the Pahalgam terrorist attack.As for previous investigations, all of them are pending because of a lack of Indian pic.twitter.com/ChFEwTWrih Yalda Hakim (@SkyYaldaHakim) May 8, 2025

May 8: CNN exposes Pakistan using videos from social media as proof of shooting down 5 Indian fighter jets

After Pakistan claimed to have shot down five Indian fighter jets following Operation Sindoor, CNN anchor Becky Anderson asked Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif for proof. “It’s all over social media. On Indian social media, not on our social media,” he replied, adding, “The debris of these jets fell… and it’s all over Indian media."

Anderson interrupted and remarked, "I'm sorry, we didn't ask you here to talk about social media content. I'm asking specifically for the evidence, details. For example, was any Chinese equipment used to down these Rafale jets, as I understand you are alleging to be?"

When the CNN anchor pressed Asif for evidence or specific details about the alleged attack, he hesitated, paused momentarily, and responded, “I can’t hear you properly.”

Unable to specify the type of aircraft allegedly used by Pakistan, Asif dodged the question by suggesting the conflict could escalate into a full-blown war.

Where's the evidence for five Indian fighter jets shot down by Pakistan?Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif (to CNN): It's all over social media.. pic.twitter.com/trdCJ1VfIt
(@Vikas0207) May 7, 2025

May 10: Pakistan's defence minister dodges questions by Al Arabiya anchor on proof of Indian attack

In an interview with Al Arabiya, a Saudi Arabia-based news channel, when Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif was asked for proof of India's attack on Pakistan, he paused and fumbled before saying, “I can’t hear you properly.”

The anchor, Nicole Tannoury, spoke loudly and asked, “Can hear me now, minister?” Asif replied by asking her to speak " a bit louder".

During an Al Arabiya English interview, @NicoleTannoury asked Pakistans Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Can you show the attack details? He ignored her and replied, I cant hear youspeak louder. Itll be the same answercheck social media.#IndiaPakistanWar #IndianArmy pic.twitter.com/Z9ekeAHz8j Samar Singh (@singhsamar_) May 10, 2025

Meanwhile, Asif's recent appearances on international media has been severely criticised by Pakistan MP Zartaj Gul who described his behaviour as “irresponsible”. "If you don't know English don't go on international media... don't mock yourself, don't mock your government," she said.