The Allegations of Terrorism: A Closer Look at Pakistan’s Claims Against India
Pakistan has long accused India of being involved in terror attacks on its territory, a narrative that has been a cornerstone of its foreign policy and military discourse. On April 29, 2023, Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), held a press conference where he publicly alleged Indian involvement in various terror incidents. This assertion was echoed by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, who invited independent experts to analyze the claims.
The Digital Investigation
In response to these allegations, Digital Lab Voyager Infosec partnered with ISPRMonitor to conduct a comprehensive digital investigation aimed at verifying the "irrefutable evidence" presented by Dar. The findings of this investigation were startling, suggesting that the claims made by Pakistan were not only baseless but also fabricated. The report stated, "What we found was not proof—but a staggering array of forgery, fabrication, and invented stories."
Forensics or Farce?
One of the key tenets of digital forensics is the use of cloned, non-active devices to preserve data integrity. However, the investigation revealed that ISPR’s entire forensic exercise was conducted on a live, active phone with dual SIMs. This fundamental oversight raised serious questions about the validity of their claims. The report emphasized that such recklessness should have disqualified the entire forensic exercise.
Fabrication, Not Investigation
The investigation further scrutinized a screenshot presented by DG ISPR as "forensically obtained" WhatsApp evidence. This screenshot allegedly showed an online status of a supposed terrorist handler, "Shaknder," even though the phone was claimed to be in the custody of Pakistani authorities. The report pointed out that if the device was indeed seized and undergoing forensic examination, it should have been in airplane mode to preserve data integrity. The presence of an "online" status indicated either that the phone was never actually seized or that the screenshot was staged on a live phone.
Phantom Calls from the Past?
The report also highlighted that DG ISPR showcased recordings of WhatsApp calls purportedly made over a year ago. The investigation raised the question of how such recordings could exist unless the terrorist had installed call-recording malware, which seemed highly improbable. This inconsistency suggested that the ISI may have had prior knowledge of the terror attacks and chose not to prevent them.
Screenshot Sorcery
Another glaring inconsistency was found in WhatsApp chat screenshots presented by DG ISPR. The timestamps of these screenshots aligned within minutes of the messages, despite the suspect being arrested long after the dates in question. The report sarcastically questioned whether Pakistan was claiming that the terrorist was screenshotting his crimes in real-time for ISPR’s future press kit.
Drone: Chinese by Make, Indian by Blame
The investigation also involved a reverse search of a drone image claimed to be recovered from the terrorist’s house. The search revealed that the drone was a DJI model, manufactured in China, further undermining Pakistan’s narrative.
Money Trail or Money Tale?
ISPR claimed that the Indian handler was cautious, sending only small sums to avoid detection. However, they later contradicted themselves by stating that a single transaction of PKR 1,95,000 was made to the alleged terrorist account. The investigation found that the "money received" screenshots showed notifications captured just one minute after the transfers occurred, despite the phone being seized and forensically analyzed six months later.
IED Lessons in Hindi, Accent in Pakistani Punjabi
The report also examined voice recordings attributed to the alleged Indian operator, noting inconsistencies in accent and language. Voice analysis confirmed that the same person did not record both segments, raising further doubts about the authenticity of the claims.
Missing Evidence, Invented Identities
While ISPR claimed to have the names of serving Indian Army officers, they failed to provide any concrete evidence, such as phone numbers or call metadata, to substantiate their allegations. This lack of evidence further weakened their case.
Psy-War in Decline: From Doctrine to Farce
The press conference itself was described as a failed attempt at psychological warfare. The staged theatrics and selective media screenshots pointed to a disinformation strategy riddled with amateur errors.
From Calibri to Conspiracy: A Pattern of Forgery
The report took a dig at Ishaq Dar, suggesting that this was not his first encounter with creative document production. The reference to the infamous Calibri font scandal, which led to the disqualification of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, highlighted a troubling pattern of forgery within Pakistan’s political landscape.
A Narrative Planned in Advance: ISPR’s “Time Machine” Screenshot
ISPR claimed that Indian agencies had launched a coordinated social media campaign to cover up the detection of a drone and IED by Pakistani forces. However, the investigation revealed that a screenshot of a tweet allegedly part of this narrative was captured just 58 minutes after it was posted, raising questions about the authenticity of the timeline.
Conclusion
The investigation by Digital Lab Voyager Infosec concluded that ISPR did not uncover a conspiracy; rather, they staged and rehearsed one. The so-called evidence presented was riddled with technical, logical, and narrative flaws, revealing an intelligence establishment out of sync with operational reality and global scrutiny. The report accused ISPR of producing fabricated screenshots, fake audio, and laughable theatrics, which do not amount to credible evidence.
In a world increasingly driven by information warfare, the implications of such fabrications are profound. The narrative constructed by Pakistan not only undermines its credibility but also raises serious questions about the integrity of its intelligence apparatus.