New Delhi | March 14, 2025
India has strongly rejected Pakistan’s allegations of its involvement in the Jaffar Express attack, calling them baseless and an attempt to shift blame. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated on Friday that Pakistan must focus on its internal issues instead of making false accusations against India.
“We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism lies. Pakistan should look inwards instead of pointing fingers and shifting the blame for its own internal problems and failures on to others.”
Jaiswal said in a statement.
Pakistan’s Allegations and India’s Response
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan had claimed that the attackers behind the Jaffar Express siege were in contact with handlers in Afghanistan. He further alleged that India had a role in supporting terrorism in Pakistan.
However, India dismissed these claims, stating that Pakistan has a history of externalizing its internal security failures. Indian officials highlighted that Pakistan has not provided any credible evidence to support its allegations.
The Jaffar Express Attack and Military Operation
The Jaffar Express train was hijacked by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) militants while carrying more than 400 passengers. According to Pakistan’s security forces, all 33 attackers were eliminated in a military operation. However, conflicting reports have emerged regarding the operation’s success.
The BLA claims the Pakistani Army suffered losses and accused the military of abandoning its own soldiers during the operation. The group also challenged Pakistan to allow independent journalists and observers to verify the situation on the ground.
Passengers who were released after the attack told Pakistani media that the BLA voluntarily freed women, children, and elderly individuals soon after taking over the train.
Rising Tensions Between Pakistan and Afghanistan
The relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been tense due to border conflicts and Islamabad’s allegations that the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is operating from Afghan soil. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring militants who conduct attacks inside its borders, a claim Kabul has denied.
Lack of Transparency Raises Questions
Despite claiming a successful military operation, the Pakistan Army has not released any verifiable photos or videos of the action. This has raised doubts about the official narrative, with critics arguing that Islamabad is attempting to cover up failures in handling the Baloch insurgency.
The situation remains tense, with Pakistan’s security concerns escalating and India urging its neighbor to take responsibility for its own security failures rather than making unfounded allegations.
(With inputs from ANI, Indian Express, and international agencies)
