In an alarming and deeply controversial incident, Colonel Taimur Rahat, a senior official of the Pakistan Army serving as the Army and Air Advisor at the Pakistan High Commission in London, was caught on camera making a throat-slitting gesture towards Indian protesters gathered outside the mission.
The protest, attended by over 500 British Hindus, was organised to condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 innocent tourists, including 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali, lost their lives on April 22.
Viral videos of the event show Colonel Taimur Rahat threatening Indian protesters with a chilling throat-slitting motion—a gesture that has been widely denounced as both offensive and dangerous. The footage rapidly spread across social media platforms, sparking outrage among communities in the UK, India, and around the globe.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Shesh Paul Vaid sharply criticised the Colonel’s behaviour, stating, “Such threatening gestures by an official on foreign soil are unacceptable. This man should face immediate action by UK authorities.
Threatening peaceful protestors crosses every line of diplomacy and decency.” Vaid further added, “All these Pakistanis, whether army colonels, diplomats, or even doctors, carry a mindset that glorifies aggression. The UK police must register a case, punish him, and expel him from Britain.”
Across X (formerly Twitter), citizens expressed their dismay. One user posted the video with the caption, “Man of rank, but no class. Terrorism just got a PR officer in London!”—a sentiment that quickly gained traction.
Indians Protest for Justice Turns Hostile
The peaceful demonstration, marked by chants against terrorism and calls for justice, took a disturbing turn when the Pakistan High Commission responded with loud celebratory music blaring from within their premises. Protestors described the move as “insensitive” and “inhuman,” especially in the wake of such a brutal terror attack.
In a statement, protest organisers said, “Today’s protest was a call for justice and accountability. The embassy’s response—playing celebratory music—revealed a shocking lack of empathy and decorum. We condemn this disgraceful behaviour in the strongest terms.”
They further demanded that the UK government take three critical steps:
-
Summon Pakistan’s High Commissioner for an immediate explanation.
-
Publicly condemn the terror attacks and demand Pakistan’s cooperation in ending terror support.
-
Apply diplomatic pressure to ensure the perpetrators and their financiers are brought to justice.
Escalating Diplomatic Tensions
Following the throat-slitting gesture and the insensitive behaviour at the embassy, the situation has swiftly escalated at the diplomatic level.
In response to the attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government took bold steps:
-
Closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari.
-
Suspension of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani nationals, giving them 40 hours to leave India.
-
Reduction in the strength of officers at High Commissions on both sides.
-
Suspension of the historic 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, which was brokered by the World Bank after nine years of negotiation between the two nations.
Meanwhile, Pakistani ministers issued stern warnings. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar threatened, “If India tries any adventure, it will face a worse fate than ever before.” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif added ominously, “If one of our citizens is harmed, we will make India pay dearly.”
Global Communities Call for Accountability
Members of the Indian diaspora in London were united in their anger and sorrow. Speaking to ANI, one protester remarked, “Pakistan has nurtured a terror industry. Our brothers and sisters lost their lives in Pahalgam because of this. We are here to demand accountability and action.”
Another participant said, “The Indian community here is furious over the heinous terror attack. We cannot allow these acts to go unanswered. Enough is enough.”
The organisers plan to file formal complaints against Colonel Taimur Rahat and demand that the UK government blacklist any official engaging in such hostile behaviour on British soil.
Also Read : Gujarat Police Detain Over 1,000 Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants in Historic Crackdown