Islamabad hints at RAW’s involvement in Quetta carnage

Foreign elements may be working with local militants, says FO spokesperson


Kamran Yousaf August 12, 2016
Foreign elements may be working with local militants, says FO spokesperson. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday indicated that India’s premier intelligence agency RAW might have collaborated with local militant groups to carry out the latest terrorist attack in Quetta, which left 76 people dead on Monday.

“Involvement of foreign elements working in cahoots with their local contacts in the condemnable terrorist attack in Quetta, which took a huge toll on the lives of innocent people, cannot be ruled out,” said the Foreign Office spokesperson at the weekly press briefing in Islamabad.

Army chief terms Quetta attack bid to undermine Zarb-e-Azb success

Nafees Zakaria was responding to a question regarding the statement by the Balochistan chief minister that RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) was behind the deadly Quetta bombing.



The FO spokesperson said Indian intelligence agencies remained involved in subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan, especially in Balochistan and Karachi.

“The confessional statement by a serving [Indian] naval officer, who was apprehended by our law enforcement agencies has indeed vindicated Pakistan’s claim. The confession has led to significant success in rounding up elements of the network,” he added.

The FO statements come as tensions between the two nuclear armed neighbours are rising over the latest spike of unrest in Indian Kashmir.

Kashmir violence

FO’s Zakaria also dismissed Indian claims of cross-LoC infiltration. “Pakistan remains committed to the policy of not allowing its territory for any terrorist activity against anyone,” he insisted.

Quetta blast & a confused chorus

The PM’s foreign affairs adviser has written a letter to the Arab League secretary-general, seeking his attention to the brutalities in Indian Kashmir, Zakaria said, adding the adviser underscored that India had unleashed a reign of terror against innocent and defenceless civilians since the extrajudicial killing of a Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani on July 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12th, 2016.

COMMENTS (20)

SAMPATHKUMAR V S | 7 years ago | Reply @Rehmat Ali: The fears of Akhand Bharath in India or in neighbouring countries is unfounded. My understanding is, it has more to realise and appreciate common identity of Bharatiya race irrespective of one's converted faith or traditional faith, be in India or outside in South Asia. The mindset of westerners of yesteryears of supremacy or hegemony cannot be superimposed on the concept of Akhanda Bharat and then call it devilish. Whatever divisions had happened politically, let us accept and work together and walk together, without bad will in the collective spirit of progress of all South Asians. This is the true spirit of Akhanda Bharath. Politicians attribute motive and everyone mistake this simple concept.
Shuaib | 7 years ago | Reply @SKChadha: Well, after accepting India is behind it, there is nothing left really. If Pakistan is a cheat, India is too.
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