THERE was a face-off between Indian diaspora groups who gathered to protest Pakistanbacked terrorism in the wake of thePahalgam terroristattackand counter-protesters outside the PakistanHighCommissionhere, which saw scenes of a Pakistani diplomatic official making threatening gestures. In videos posted by Indian community groups from Friday evening’sprotestonsocialmedia, thePakistani official can be seen taunting them from the balcony of the mission building at Lowndes Square. He was holding a poster with a sketch ofCaptainAbhinandan Varthaman and the words “Chai is Fantastic” – a reference to the IndianAirForce(IAF)pilot’scaptivity in February 2019. The official, standing next to alarge bannerreading“Pakistan standswithKashmiris”,couldbe seen making a threatening throat-slitting gesture towards the Indian protesters across the building.

 

There was a strong Metropolitan Police security detail in place, with several officers lined up between both groups of demonstrators to ensure order. The tense face-off saw Indians waving placards calling on Pakistan to “End Terror on Kashmir” alongside the Indian national flag. “Holding theIndian tricolour and placards reading ‘Stop Terrorism’, we are here to condemn the killing of innocents by Pakistan’s support of terrorisminKashmir.Wedemand strict international action and urge the UK Government to stand with India and reconsider its policy towards Pakistan,” saida spokesperson for the Friends ofIndia Society International (FISI) UK. “Inashocking and utterly deplorable display, a member of the Pakistani High Commission in the UK brandished a photo of India’s Wing Commander Abhinandan and madeabarbaric throat-slitting gesture during a protest over the Pahalgam attack — an act that reflects not only blatant hostility but also a dangerous disregardfordiplomaticnorms and human decency,” the spokesperson added.