New Delhi (NVI): India today hit out at Pakistan for linking it to terror attacks within its territory, saying the so-called claims of ‘proof’ against New Delhi enjoy no credibility, are “fabricated” and represent “figments of imagination”.
In response to media queries on a press conference by Pakistan’s MoFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and the establishment held at Islamabad yesterday, MEA spokesman Anurag Srivastava said: “We have seen media reports on a press conference by the Pakistani establishment. This is yet another futile anti-India propaganda exercise. The so called claims of ‘proof’ against India enjoy no credibility, are fabricated and represent figments of imagination.
“This desperate attempt will find few takers as the international community is aware of Pakistan’s tactics and proof of its terror sponsorship has been admitted by none other than its own leadership.”
The press conference was held at the Foreign Office yesterday in which Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Pak Army spokesman Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar claimed that India was behind some of the terror attacks in the country.
Srivastava recalled how Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan glorified the face of global terror, Osama Bin Laden, who was found in Pakistan, as a ‘martyr’ from the floor of Parliament. “He admitted the presence of 40,000 terrorists in Pakistan.” the MEA spokesman said.
“Their Science and Technology Minister proudly claimed involvement and success of Pakistan, led by its Prime Minister, in the Pulwama terror attack in which 40 Indian soldiers were martyred,” he added.
The MEA also slammed Pakistan for continuous ceasefire violations at LoC in J&K to push infiltrators into this side of the fence. “Despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquillity, Pakistani forces continue to engage in providing supporting cover fire to infiltrators.
“The incessant infiltration of terrorists and induction of weapons to fuel terror activities continues unabated. Such activities are not possible without the support of Pakistani forces deployed along the LoC,” Srivastava said.
In a major flare-up along Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir Friday, Pakistan resorted to multiple ceasefire violations at forward locations in J&K after the Indian Army foiled another infiltration bid by the four Pak commandos in Kupwara’s Keran sector.
The Army killed the 4 commandos of the Pakistan Army and destroyed multiple terror launch pads across LoC while retaliating to the enemy shelling in which 5 Indian troopers and 4 civilians were killed.
On the Pakistan press conference, the MEA spokesman further said it was a deliberate attempt on the part of the Pakistani establishment to shift focus from its internal political and economic failures. It also seeks to justify cross-border terrorism, including ceasefire violations and infiltration across the LoC and IB.
“We call upon Pakistan to end its support to cross border terrorism. Pakistani leaders have never hidden the fact that it has become a factory for producing terrorists,” he said.
“India is not the only neighbour to be targeted as underlined by the statements of countries similarly targeted. Distant parts of the world have seen the terror trail lead back to Pakistan. Concocting documents and peddling false narratives will not absolve Pakistan of such actions. We are confident the world will hold it to account,” he added.
-ARK