India rejects Pakistan's Karachi attack claims, asks it to 'look inwards'

India has strongly rejected Pakistan's allegations linking an "Indian proxy" to the recent terrorist attack in Karachi, calling the claims baseless and urging Islamabad to act against terror groups operating within its own territory.

The attack targeted the provincial headquarters of the Pakistan Rangers in Karachi last week. Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a militant group often associated with the Afghanistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the assault.

According to Pakistani authorities, three security personnel and three terrorists were killed during the attack.

India dismisses allegations

Pakistan Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi alleged that an "Indian proxy" was involved in the Karachi attack. However, no evidence was presented to support the claim.

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Responding to the allegations, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen Pakistani reports making baseless allegations against India regarding the recent incident in Karachi."

He added, "We categorically reject them. Instead of pointing fingers at others, Pakistan would do better to look inwards, take credible action against the terror infrastructure on its territory and rid itself of its proclivity to rely on terrorism as an instrument of state policy."

Pakistan launches strikes in Afghanistan

Following the Karachi attack, Pakistan carried out overnight airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the operations targeted militant positions in the provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar.

"Three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed during precision strikes," Tarar said, adding that 25 terrorists were killed.

The operations also included ground actions in border areas and specifically targeted Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.

Karachi attack and border tensions

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed that nine attackers participated in the Karachi assault. According to the group, an explosives-laden vehicle was rammed into the Rangers headquarters, triggering a gun battle with security forces.

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Pakistan's military said three Rangers personnel were killed and four others injured. Three attackers were killed while another suspect, identified as an Afghan national, was captured.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban government in Afghanistan of sheltering militants linked to the TTP, an allegation Kabul has denied. Border tensions between the two countries have also affected trade and movement in recent months.

FAQs:

Who claimed responsibility for the Karachi attack?

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar claimed responsibility for the attack on the Pakistan Rangers headquarters.

What did India say about Pakistan's allegations?

India called the allegations baseless and asked Pakistan to act against terror infrastructure on its own soil.