Indian channel 'forged' interview of Pakistani official: Pakistan

The news report said that PoK police officer Ghulam Akbar has admitted that surgical strikes did happen

Pakistan on Thursday claimed that a leading Indian channel aired a "forged" interview of a Pakistani official in which he allegedly confirmed India's surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the border.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs alleged that CNN News18 has aired a "forged" interview of police officer of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir Ghulam Akbar, in which he has allegedly confirmed India's surgical strikes.

"The reporter impersonated himself as Inspector General Police Punjab," the ministry said in a statement.

"Akbar has categorically denied having spoken over phone and that it is not even his voice on the recording run by the said Indian TV channel," the ministry said.

"We hope that CNN would take up the matter very seriously with the affiliate Indian TV channel and initiate action against the channel, as not doing so will be regarded as directly owning to this unethical and manipulative act. We reserve the right to take necessary legal action against the said TV channel," the statement said.

The news report of CNN News18 said that Akbar has admitted that surgical strikes did happen. Pakistan had rejected as "false" and "concocted" the Indian claim of surgical strikes within Pakistani territory following the Uri terror attack that killed 19 Indian soldiers last month.