Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi on Wednesday rejected the “preposterous” statement by India’s External Affairs Ministry regarding recent strikes conducted by Pakistan against terrorists and their hideouts along the Afghan border.
Responding to media queries on the Indian remarks, the spokesperson rejected the “baseless statement” on its “legitimate, targeted and proportionate actions” against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan. “This preposterous statement has been made by a country that has historically interfered in and undermined the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighboring countries, in contravention of the U.N. Charter, and continues to suppress the right to self-determination of the Kashmiris in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, in violation of the relevant U.N. resolutions,” he wrote.
On Sunday, following a terrorist attack on a Rangers camp in Karachi, Pakistan’s security forces conducted an intelligence-based ground operation along the Pak-Afghan border, followed by calibrated strikes against terrorist hideouts and safe havens, killing 25 terrorists. In a subsequent statement, India had condemned Pakistan’s actions, dubbing them a “blatant act of aggression” and a “direct threat” to regional peace and stability.
“India has also been actively aiding and sponsoring terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil against Pakistan, in violation of the relevant U.N. Security Council sanctions regime, and continues to play the role of a regional spoiler,” said Andrabi, adding Delhi’s “baseless accusations and inflammatory statements against Pakistan must not be entertained.”
He stressed that Pakistan has taken, and would continue to take, all appropriate measures to uphold the safety and security of its citizens in accordance with international law.