India Trashes Pakistan’s Allegations Over Islamabad Mosque Attack.
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Diplomatic Standoff: India rejects Pakistan's "baseless" claims regarding the Tarlai imambargah attack, calling it a diversion from domestic issues.
India has categorically rejected any link to the suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad’s Tarlai area. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Pakistan’s tendency to blame neighbors for its internal security crises is “unfortunate” and “pointless”.
Rising Tensions and Conflicting Claims
- Pakistan’s Stance: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi alleged a “collusion” between India and Afghanistan, claiming the attacker had traveled to and from Afghanistan.
- India’s Rebuttal: The MEA emphasized that Pakistan should address the “home-grown ills” and problems plaguing its social fabric instead of shifting blame.
- ISIS Identifies Bomber: Contradicting the “foreign proxy” narrative, the Islamic State (ISPP) officially claimed the attack via its Telegram channel, identifying the suicide bomber as Saifullah Ansari.
Regional Security Context
The incident occurred as Pakistan faces a surge in militant activity, coming just months after another suicide blast in Islamabad killed 12 people. While Afghan officials have dismissed Pakistan’s claims as “regrettable,” the incident has further strained the already fragile relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
