Viral video: ‘If India attacks Pakistan, Pashtun will stand with the Indian Army,’ says Islamic preacher in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

A video of an Islamic preacher from Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has gone viral on social media, in which he claims that the Pashtun community will stand with the Indian Army if India attacks Pakistan. The video emerged amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan after the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, in which 26 Indian tourists were killed.

‘We will never say Zindabad for Pakistan’

In the video, the preacher addresses a local crowd and says in Pashto, “If India attacks Pakistan, we Pashtun will immediately stand with the Indian Army against Pakistan Army. They have committed so many atrocities against us Pashtun, and you think we will say Zindabad for Pakistan? Never.”

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The preacher refers to past military operations, disappearances, and economic neglect in Pashtun regions by Pakistan’s establishment. The video was reportedly recorded during a public gathering, though the exact date and location are not confirmed. ET has not independently verified the authenticity of the video.

The statement gains traction online

The video gained traction after it was shared by several users on X (formerly Twitter), drawing attention from both Indian and Pakistani users. Some Indian users praised the preacher’s statement, while others questioned the authenticity and intent behind the message. Several Pakistani users expressed concern over the growing discontent among the Pashtun population.

Pashtun discontent with Pakistan’s military establishment

Pashtun groups, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and parts of Balochistan, have long accused the Pakistan Army of human rights violations. The Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a civil rights movement, has been vocal against the military’s alleged suppression, illegal detentions, and enforced disappearances.