Pakistan asks India to dismantle terror infrastructure

FO rebuts Indian external affairs ministry denying New Delhi's role in Johar Town blast

ISLAMABAD:

Islamabad on Thursday asked India to dismantle what it calls terror infrastructure against Pakistan as it rejected New Delhi's denial of RAW's involvement in the last month's terrorist attack in Lahore.

"We call upon India to dismantle its terror infrastructure against Pakistan, arrest the perpetrators of the Lahore attack, and bring them to justice without any delay," a statement issued by the Foreign Office said.

The statement was issued in reaction to the rebuttal by Indian external affairs ministry denying New Delhi's role in the Johar Town blast on June 23 in which three people were killed.

Pakistani investigations into the attack concluded that Indian secret agency was directly involved in the blast and the main mastermind was an Indian having links with RAW.

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But New Delhi dismissed the charges and insisted that Pakistan should bring evidence if any about the Indian role.

"We reject Indian denial of involvement in the June 23, 2021 terrorist attack in Lahore. There is irrefutable evidence of India’s aiding, abetting and financing of this terrorist incident," Foreign Office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri said in a statement.

"We have pointed out in the past also Indian state sponsorship of terrorism in Pakistan," he added.

He said there was no doubt that the intelligence agency from across the border was involved in planning and executing terrorist attacks against Pakistan.

Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was caught red-handed in March 2016, is the most familiar and undeniable face of India’s state-sponsorship of terrorism against Pakistan, the spokesperson said.

Also read: Indian RAW orchestrated Lahore terrorist attack: NSA

"Use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy by India makes it culpable under international law, UN sanctions regime, and international counter-terrorism conventions," he said.

The spokesperson said it was the collective responsibility of the world community to hold India to account and take practical steps to proceed against the Indian nationals involved in patronage of terrorism against Pakistan.

"Pakistan’s credentials in the fight against terrorism do not need endorsement by India. Pakistan has been a victim of terrorism perpetrated by al-Qaeda, its affiliates and state-sponsored terrorism.

"Pakistan’s sacrifices and its achievements in fighting terrorism have been recognised by the world," the spokesperson said.

The Lahore blast and Indian role have put the process of rapprochement at a halt as the two sides were no more talking to each other through backchannels.

The backchannel talks helped the renewal of 2003 ceasefire agreement in February but the two sides could not take further steps leading to the resumption of formal talks.

The latest blame game is likely to further deepen tensions between the two neighbours.