New Delhi, March 14: Reacting strongly to suggestions from Pakistani officials that it was behind Friday’s blasts in Lahore, India has warned that such allegations hurt bilateral ties.
The External Affairs Ministry said on Saturday that instead of making unfounded allegations Pakistani officials should focus on tackling the terror infrastructure at home.
“It is unfortunate that by repeating such unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations, officials in responsible positions in the government of Pakistan put a strain on our bilateral relationship, instead of concentrating on dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism directed against India and adversely impacting on Pakistan itself,” the Foreign Office said.
After almost every major terror attack in Lahore - including the attack last year on a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers - some city officials and ministers from Pakistan’s Punjab province tend to point fingers at India. Indian officials say no evidence to prove such allegations is presented.
India said it “unequivocally” condemned the bomb blasts which reportedly killed over 45 people in Lahore’s cantonment area. “Our condolences go out to the families of those killed by these acts of terrorism.” “At the same time,” the statement said, “the government is deeply disappointed by statements emanating from Pakistan alleging an Indian hand in yesterday’s attacks in Lahore, and other terrorist acts and disturbances elsewhere in Pakistan.” “We categorically reject, once again, the allegations of India’s involvement in such acts or activities. The government has reiterated on several occasions, and at the highest level, that India has no interest in destabilising Pakistan,” it said.
After Friday’s blasts – the second such attack in Lahore in a week – Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported that Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah “did not rule out the involvement of a foreign hand”. And Lahore Commissioner Khusro Pervaiz was “categorical” in blaming India, it said.
Dawn’s editorial, however, urged the authorities to target the “infrastructure” of terror in the Punjab province.
“It’s time the state began to dismantle that infrastructure of jehad,” it said.
--Agencies--
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