Pakistan Senator dodges Brigade 313 questions, accepts Islamabad's terror history | WATCH

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) Vice President Sherry Rehman on Tuesday acknowledged that Islamabad’s past has ties to terrorism. However, she sidestepped questions regarding the al-Qaeda-linked Brigade 313, offering no direct response on the militant group’s activities or alleged support networks.

In an interview with Sky News journalist Yalda Hakim, Senator Sherry Rehman was in the spotlight, as she struggled to answer questions about Brigade 313, an al-Qaeda-linked terror unit.

Yalda Hakim questioned Sherry Rehman about Brigade 313, an al-Qaeda-linked terror unit. Hakim stated, "Brigade 313 is al-Qaeda in Pakistan....They are the leaders of a massive terrorist organisation that focuses on attacks in Kashmir." Rehman seemed evasive, suggesting that anyone could put together a "digital dossier." She questioned whether Pakistan should be held responsible for repeated attacks in India, stating, "Am I going to war every time there is an attack in India?...Are we responsible for what goes on there?".

Hakim pressed Rehman about Sajid Mir, one of the key plotters of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Rehman replied, "You're citing a long history of engaging with terrorism one way or the other, either fighting it or otherwise." Hakim also mentioned Operation Sindoor, targeting terror camps of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Rehman dismissed the sources, saying, "Most of the analysts you’re quoting are aligned with India’s narrative. They only tell India’s story."

Rehman acknowledged Pakistan's past links to terrorism, stating, "Pakistan is a changed country. We are fighting terrorism but you keep on talking about the past.”

What is Brigade 313?

Brigade 313 is a hybrid coalition of terrorist groups operating under al-Qaeda's umbrella. Formed in the early 2000s, the group reportedly took its name from the 313 companions who fought alongside Prophet Muhammad at the Battle of Badr.

Led by Ilyas Kashmiri, a former Pakistani army-trained fighter and al-Qaeda commander, who died in a 2011 US drone strike. Brigade 313 has been accused of carrying out high-profile terror attacks, including bombings, assassinations, and plots aimed at Kashmir.

The group is often described as part of al-Qaeda's Lashkar al-Zil (Shadow Army).