The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday reacted strongly to Pakistan’s allegations of an Indian link to the bombing at an Islamabad mosque that killed at least 31 people, saying the claims are both “baseless” and “pointless”.
While describing the attack as “condemnable”, MEA said Pakistan should look within for the problems plaguing its social fabric instead of blaming others for its “home-grown ills”.
At least 31 people were killed and 169 injured when a bomber fired at the gates of a Shia mosque and then blew himself up in the Khadijah al-Kubra mosque-cum-imambargah during Friday prayers in the Tarlai area of Islamabad, police said.
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“The bombing at an Islamabad mosque earlier today is condemnable and India condoles the loss of life it has caused,” the MEA said in its statement, but added, “It is unfortunate that, instead of seriously addressing the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan should choose to delude itself by blaming others for its home-grown ills.”
“India rejects any and every such allegation, which is as baseless as it is pointless,” the statement added.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, had alleged in a social media post that India and Afghanistan were linked to the attack, without providing any evidence. He claimed that it has been proved the terrorist involved in the attack travelled to and from Afghanistan.
“The collusion between India and Afghanistan is being revealed,” he alleged.
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