India and Pakistan both faced deadly bombings on Monday, leading each country to blame the other for potentially facilitating the attacks.
In New Delhi, near the iconic Red Fort, a vehicle explosion resulted in the deaths of at least 13 people, with around 20 others injured. Indian officials quickly began investigating the incident as a terrorist act, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that “all those responsible will be brought to justice.”
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, a suicide bombing outside a local courthouse in Islamabad killed at least 12 and injured over 30. There was another bombing reported in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, injuring 14 security personnel. Additionally, the day before, a significant attack on a military college in South Waziristan had resulted in hundreds of cadets being taken hostage.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directly accused India of orchestrating both the suicide bombing and the military college incident, although he didn’t provide any evidence to back up his claims.
Sharif stated, “Both attacks are the worst examples of Indian state terrorism in the region. It is time for the world to condemn such heinous plots by India.”
On Tuesday night, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif suggested that the attacks were “orchestrated” from Afghanistan under instructions from India. A faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing, but the main group denied any involvement.
Asif added, “No one should have the misconception that there are hidden hostile intentions from our neighbors. We remain on high alert and are ready to respond,” further accusing India and the Afghan Taliban of supporting the TTP.
He mentioned that if a friendly nation wanted to mediate, that would be welcome, but hinted that India was behind these hostile actions, possibly referencing President Trump’s past mediation efforts.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded firmly, saying, “India unequivocally rejects the baseless allegations made by the clearly deranged Pakistani leadership.”
A spokesperson for the Indian Ministry elaborated, stating, “It is a predictable tactic by Pakistan to fabricate false stories against India to distract the public from the ongoing military subversion and power grab in the country.”
Earlier violence in May had intensified the India-Pakistan conflict. An Indian resort in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir was attacked, with India accusing Pakistan of harboring those responsible for the tragedy.
According to reports from NDTV, Indian government sources indicated that “Operation Sindoor is still continuing,” referring to India’s military operation against Pakistan that was initiated following the May attacks.
Indian police hinted at a potential connection between the Red Fort explosion and anti-India fighters in Jammu and Kashmir. Seven suspects with terrorist ties were arrested in Kashmir just before the New Delhi explosion, with two of them identified as doctors.
Authorities stated, “The investigation revealed an ecosystem of white-collar terrorism involving radicalized professionals and students in contact with foreign handlers operating from Pakistan and other locations,” noting that the detainees were linked to extremist groups based in Pakistan.
