Condemnation and Condolences
India has officially voiced its strong disapproval of the recent suicide attack that occurred at a mosque in Pakistan's capital city. This devastating
incident tragically claimed the lives of at least 31 individuals and left over 169 people injured. In response to the tragedy, New Delhi extended its deepest sympathies to those affected, acknowledging the profound loss of life caused by the bombing. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement emphasizing the condemnable nature of the attack and expressing sorrow for the fatalities, underscoring the humanitarian aspect of the situation.
Rejection of Allegations
Following the attack, Indian officials have forcefully refuted any insinuations of their nation's involvement. The Ministry of External Affairs explicitly stated that such allegations are 'baseless and pointless,' dismissing them outright. The statement highlighted the unfortunate tendency of Pakistan to deflect from its internal issues by pointing fingers externally. India's stance is that Pakistan should focus on addressing its own societal challenges rather than engaging in self-deception and attributing its home-grown problems to others. This firm rejection underscores India's position and its unwillingness to be drawn into unsubstantiated accusations.
Pakistan's Accusations
The Pakistani government, however, has pointed fingers towards India and Afghanistan in the aftermath of the mosque bombing. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, via a social media post, suggested a connection between the attack and these two nations, claiming the involvement of a terrorist who travelled between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He alleged a 'collusion between India and Afghanistan' was coming to light. Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson, Mosharraf Zaidi, described the bombing at the Khadijatul Kubra Imambargah as part of a pattern of 'murderous terrorist attacks orchestrated by India.' He further asserted that India's 'terrorist proxies' would not hinder Pakistan's economic progress, unity, or diplomatic standing.
Attack Details
The suicide bomber carried out the attack during Friday prayers in the Tarlai area of Islamabad. Authorities reported that the attacker was intercepted at the mosque's entrance but proceeded to detonate explosives, leading to the severe casualties. This bombing marks the deadliest incident in Islamabad since a significant suicide truck bomb attack on the Marriott Hotel in September 2008, which resulted in 60 fatalities. Prior to this, the capital witnessed a major attack in November of the previous year, where a suicide blast outside a courthouse claimed 12 lives and injured numerous others.
