MEA issues strong rebuttal after Pakistan accuses India of sponsoring terrorism
Following Pakistan’s recent accusations that India is “sponsoring terrorism,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India issued a firm and categorical rebuttal, dismissing the allegations as baseless and unfounded. The controversy arose in the wake of a deadly attack on a train in Balochistan, which left 21 passengers dead.
India’s Response to Pakistan’s Accusations
In response to media inquiries regarding Pakistan’s claims, the official spokesperson for the MEA, Randhir Jaiswal, unequivocally rejected the allegations.
“We strongly reject the baseless accusations made by Pakistan. The entire world is well aware of where the epicenter of global terrorism truly lies. Rather than pointing fingers at others and attempting to shift the blame for its internal issues, Pakistan should introspect and address its own failures,” Jaiswal asserted.
The strong rebuttal from India comes after Pakistan, while refraining from directly implicating India in the Balochistan train attack, suggested that India has been involved in sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan. The accusation was raised during a weekly press briefing conducted by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, where its spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, made several references to external involvement in acts of terrorism within Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Accusations and Reference to Afghanistan
During the press briefing, Khan was repeatedly questioned about the Balochistan train attack, which occurred on Tuesday and led to a prolonged hostage situation lasting over 24 hours. In response, he claimed that the attackers were in direct communication with their handlers based in Afghanistan throughout the incident.
Khan highlighted that Pakistan had frequently called upon Afghanistan to take stringent measures against terrorist groups, particularly the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which has been accused of carrying out attacks against Pakistan while operating from Afghan territory.
“We urge Afghanistan to hold the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act accountable and to fully cooperate with Pakistan’s government in bringing all those responsible—including the real sponsors of terrorism—to justice,” he stated.
When pressed about whether Pakistan was now shifting its blame from India to Afghanistan, given that Pakistan had previously accused India of supporting BLA activities, Khan clarified that there was no deviation from Pakistan’s long-standing position.
“There is no shift in our policy, and the facts remain unchanged. India continues to be involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. In this particular incident, however, we have evidence that points to direct communication with planners based in Afghanistan,” he explained.
Additional Allegations Against India
In further statements, Khan reiterated Pakistan’s claim that India has long been working to destabilize its neighboring countries. He also accused India of conducting a covert “global assassination campaign” targeting individuals linked to Pakistan.
“In our region, there are numerous forces that are working against peace and stability. Unfortunately, there are actors who do not want to see Pakistan succeed in its counter-terrorism efforts and regional peace-building initiatives,” he remarked.
He specifically referred to the terrorist attack on the Jaffar Express near Sibi in Balochistan, suggesting that the attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist leaders operating from outside Pakistan.
Khan also criticized the portrayal of BLA activities in Indian media, suggesting that India’s media was “glorifying” the BLA, which he claimed indirectly reflects India’s official stance.
“The manner in which the Indian media is presenting the BLA shows a level of support, whether official or unofficial, for the group’s activities,” he asserted.
Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy
In an effort to address the growing concerns over terrorism, Khan outlined Pakistan’s comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy. According to him, the country’s approach includes a combination of military operations, intelligence-based actions, and diplomatic efforts aimed at eliminating terrorism and ensuring stability within Pakistan and the broader region.
“Our counter-terrorism strategy is multifaceted, involving proactive military campaigns, intelligence-driven operations, and diplomatic outreach to secure regional cooperation in combating terrorism,” he stated.
Conclusion
The latest exchange between India and Pakistan over terrorism-related allegations has further strained relations between the two neighbors. While Pakistan continues to accuse India of involvement in acts of terrorism within its borders, India maintains that such claims are an attempt to divert attention from Pakistan’s own internal challenges. As both countries navigate these tensions, the international community remains watchful of the evolving situation in South Asia.
