India rejected Pakistan's claim that New Delhi was behind raging ethnic violence in its neighboring countries. In a strong statement, Pakistan snabbed after suggesting India's role in promoting trouble in the resting areas of Balochistan.
The Indian government said it reflects the previous stance that Islamabad has a hotbed of terrorism, saying Pakistan must look inward rather than criticize others.
“We strongly reject Pakistan's unfounded allegations. The whole world knows where the epicenter of world terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inward rather than pointing its fingers and changing its own internal issues and the failures of others.”
The government's response comes after Pakistani officials accused India of being a “sponsor of terrorism.” Foreign Ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan said the train attacks were coordinated from overseas but were not directly involved in India.
The train was travelling 30 hours from Quetta to Peshawar when it was followed by a Jafar Express hijacking by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). The siege lasted about 30 hours, killing 21 hostages and four guards.
Khan said the rebels are in contact with Afghanistan-based handlers through the train siege. When asked whether Pakistan has changed its policy from past denounced India for BLA activities, the spokesman denied it, saying that the accusations against India remain the same today.
“There hasn't been any change in our policies. And again, the facts remain the same. India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. What I was referring to is evidence that in this particular case, it is traced to Afghanistan. This is what I said.”
