Just days after the attack on the Jaffar Express train, India firmly rejected claims by Pakistan’s Foreign Office suggesting its involvement in the incident.
On Thursday, Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan claimed that militants responsible for the train attack had been “in touch with their handlers” in Afghanistan and accused India of playing a “role in terrorism” within Pakistan.
“In this specific attack on the Jaffar Express, the militants were in touch with their handlers and leaders in Afghanistan,”
Mr Khan remarked at his weekly press briefing.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, issued a strong denial on Friday, calling Islamabad’s assertions “unfounded.” He criticized Pakistan for shifting blame and deflecting responsibility.
“We categorically reject the unfounded accusations from Pakistan,”
Mr Jaiswal said.
“The entire world is aware of where the heart of global terrorism is located. Instead of deflecting blame for its own issues and failures, Pakistan should reflect on its own situation.”
Meanwhile, Afghanistan similarly dismissed Pakistan’s claims that Kabul had provided sanctuary to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA)—the group behind the Jaffar Express attack. The Taliban Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Abdul Qahar Balki, cautioned Islamabad to “refrain from giving irresponsible remarks.”
“We categorically reject baseless allegations by Pakistan linking the attack on a passenger train in Balochistan with Afghanistan,”
Mr Balki said.
“No members of Baloch opposition have presence in Afghanistan, nor have they ever had or have any links with the Islamic Emirate.”
Mr Balki urged Pakistan to focus on its own “security situation and internal problems” rather than making what he termed “irresponsible remarks.”