Pakistan blamed Afghanistan and India for Friday’s deadly suicide bombings in Islamabad that killed 31 people. While both New Delhi and Kabul denied the “baseless” allegations, AFP reported that Islamic State had claimed responsibility.
Pakistani security officials examine the site of a bomb blast at a Shia mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan (AP)At least 31 people were killed and nearly 170 injured in a suicide bombing in Pakistan on Friday. The attack on a Shia mosque in Islamabad was the deadliest attack in the capital since the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing.
Pakistan has blamed India, Afghanistan for the spate of attacksFollowing the attack, Pakistan blamed Afghanistan and India for the blast as it came amid a standoff between the Pakistani military and the Baloch Liberation Army. However, according to reports, IS was behind the attack.
For years, Pakistan has been accusing India of helping Baloch separatists in Afghanistan. India has repeatedly denied the allegations and called on Pakistan to tackle homegrown terrorism before “blaming it”.
While expressing grief over the incident, India said – “It is unfortunate that, instead of seriously dealing with the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan should choose to delude itself by blaming others for its indigenous ills. India rejects any such accusation, which is as baseless as it is meaningless”.
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Islamabad also blames Afghanistan for allowing separatist armed groups in southern Balochistan, the Pakistani Taliban and other Islamist militants in northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province to use Afghan territory as a safe haven and attack from Pakistan.
According to the Khama news agency, the Taliban government in Kabul also rejected the claims. Taliban Defense Ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khwarazmi said Pakistani officials have repeatedly blamed Afghanistan for security incidents without presenting credible evidence, according to local news agencies.
The United States has issued a security alertMeanwhile, following the attack, the US Embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert for American citizens in the country.
In its notice to American citizens in Pakistan, the US Embassy urged them to avoid public gatherings, keep a low profile and review personal security plans.
The embassy urges citizens to carry valid identification at all times and to cooperate with local law enforcement authorities when necessary.
The United States joined other countries in condemning the attack.
“The United States strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in Islamabad that killed and injured innocent worshipers. We condemn all acts of terrorism and violence, including this attack,” read a statement from Charge d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker.
