'Where Is Asim Munir?': Netizens Question Pakistan Army Chief's Absence Amid Escalating Tensions Between New Delhi & Islamabad

As tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following the deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, online speculation has erupted over the whereabouts of Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir.

The hashtag #MunirOut has been prominently trending on social media, fueling rumors that Munir has either gone into hiding or left the country altogether.

Netizens React to Munir's Sudden Absence

Numerous posts on X (formerly Twitter) questioned Munir’s sudden absence from the public eye in the days following the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Some users claimed that Munir has been “missing in action” and is hiding in a bunker in Rawalpindi, while others alleged that his family quietly left Pakistan using diplomatic passports.

A viral post read, “Where is Haafiz Asim Munir? Why is he hiding now?” Another user commented, “Asim Munir has sent his family abroad… He has not come to GHQ since yesterday morning.”

While these claims remain unverified, they have stirred widespread speculation across social media.

Have a look at some more reactions here:

Government Responds With Photo

In a bid to quash the rumors, the Pakistan Prime Minister’s Office shared a group photo on April 26 showing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and General Munir attending a passing-out parade at the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad.

The timing and caption of the image, explicitly dated, appear to be a calculated attempt to affirm Munir’s presence in the country and dispel claims of his disappearance.

However, netizens remain unconvinced, pointing out the absence of any public statements or appearances by Munir since the attack.

Munir's Rhetoric and Regional Fallout

Just days before the Pahalgam massacre, Munir made controversial remarks in his speeches reaffirming the two-nation theory and referring to Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein.” Indian intelligence sources reportedly suggested that such rhetoric may have contributed to an environment that emboldened militant actors.

Recently, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in an interview with Sky News, also admitted that Pakistan has been supporting terror activities for decades.

Meanwhile, India has responded to the terror strike by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty, a move the Pakistani government has condemned as illegal, further straining diplomatic ties.

An official response on Munir's whereabouts from Pakistan’s military establishment remains awaited.