Pakistan Accuses Afghanistan of Jaffar Express Train Assault; Kabul Denies 'Groundless' Claims

Synopsis

Pakistan continues to accuse Afghanistan of the Jaffar Express train attack by BLA militants, claiming direct communication with handlers in Afghanistan. The Afghan government rejects these allegations as baseless. India also rebuffs Pakistan's claims, emphasizing the need for Pakistan to address its internal issues rather than assigning blame.

Key Takeaways

Pakistan blames Afghanistan for the Jaffar Express attack.
Direct communication between attackers and Afghan handlers is claimed.
Afghanistan calls the allegations baseless.
India supports Afghanistan's denial of involvement.
Calls for accountability from Afghanistan to prevent terrorism.

Islamabad, March 14 (NationPress) Pakistan persists in blaming Afghanistan for the significant attack on the Jaffar Express passenger train, which was targeted by militants from the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in the Bolan district earlier this week. They assert that the militants responsible for the hijacking were in direct communication with their handlers located in Afghanistan.

The spokesperson for the Pakistan Foreign Office, Shafqat Ali Khan, indicated that intercepted communications confirmed the links between the attackers and Afghanistan. He stated, 'Terrorists were in direct contact with planners based in Afghanistan throughout the incident. These terrorists find refuge in Afghanistan, and Pakistan has continually urged the Afghan interim government to prevent groups such as the BLA from utilizing its territory for terrorist activities.'

'We call upon Afghanistan to hold accountable those responsible for this abhorrent act of terrorism, including the organizers and financiers, and to work with the government of Pakistan to bring all involved, including the actual sponsors of terrorism, to justice,' Khan was quoted as saying by the prominent Pakistani newspaper Express Tribune.

Conversely, the Afghan Taliban government has dismissed Pakistan's claims regarding the country's involvement in the train hijacking, with Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeling these allegations as baseless.

'We categorically reject the unfounded accusations made by the Pakistani army spokesperson linking the attack on a passenger train in Balochistan province to Afghanistan. We urge the Pakistani side to concentrate on its security and to resolve its internal issues instead of making such irresponsible statements,' posted Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi on X.

Meanwhile, India also criticized Pakistan on Friday after Islamabad suggested New Delhi's involvement in inciting unrest in the troubled Balochistan region.

'We firmly reject the unfounded allegations made by Pakistan. The entire world is aware of where the heart of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of deflecting blame for its internal issues onto others,' stated MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.