'India behind London HC attack'

Atta Tarar says acts of vandalism highlight New Delhi's extremist ideology and hostile actions

ISLAMABAD:

Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar has condemned attacks on Pakistan's High Commission in London by individuals "backed by Indian state and agencies".

The Pakistani High Commission in London was vandalised following protests by hundreds of Indian demonstrators outside the building. The incident led to property damage, with window panes shattered and saffron-colored paint thrown across the building's exterior and its plaque.

Two individuals were later arrested for alleged involvement in violence. Pakistani supporters also staged a counter-protest in response

After the attacks, security around the high commission was heightened while an investigation was underway to identify those responsible for the vandalism, Pakistan's state TV reported.

Referring to these attacks as well as transnational assassination of Sikh leaders in countries like Canada and the US, Tarar—while addressing the foreign media on Sunday—said the attacks were evidence of India's extremist ideology and hostile actions.

The minister highlighted Pakistan's position as a frontline state in the war against terror, stating, "Pakistan is a victim of terrorism as no other state has laid down 90,000 lives in the war against terror."

He said Pakistan's armed forces, law enforcement agencies, and civilians made huge sacrifices for both national and global peace, noting the economy has suffered losses in the "hundreds of billions of dollars" due to terrorism.

"We are the wall between the terrorists and the world, and Pakistan needs to be strengthened and supported in its war against terrorism," he said.

"We will continue to protect our citizens and the citizens of the world, and promote global peace by countering these terrorists which are trying to impose their own ideology in certain areas by spilling blood of civilians and personnel of armed forces," he remarked.