Jaffar Express Attack: India rejects Pakistan's claim, says world knows where epicentre of terrorism lies

In a statement, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal wrote: "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," he said.

Pakistan Targets India, Afghanistan

Pakistan Foreign Office on Thursday claimed the insurgents involved in hijacking the Jaffar Express were in 'direct contact' with their handlers in Afghanistan.

Pakistan security forces reportedly eliminated all the insurgents who had hijacked the passenger train and rescued all passengers during a 30-hour standoff.

"Terrorists were in direct communications with Afghanistan-based planners throughout the incident," Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told The Express Tribune.

"We urge Afghanistan to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism to justice," he said.

Khan said India was involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan.

“There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed. India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan," Khan was quoted as saying by Dawn News.

Jaffar Express

Pakistani security forces claimed 21 hostages, and four security personnel were killed in the train seige incident, which occurred in the Sibbi region in Pakistan.

The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the incident.

Also Read: BLA rebels share video footage showing the moment when Pakistan's Jaffar Express was hijacked

Pakistan claimed they had killed 33 insurgents.

Afghanistan-Pakistan Relationship

The relationship between Afghanistan and Pakistan has hit a new low point amid frequent border skirmishes since Taliban took control over Kabul in 2021.

Pakistan has repeatedly asked  Afghanistan to take action against the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group for using Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan. Kabul has rejected Pakistan's claims.

Pakistan has witnessed a spike in terror activities in recent times, particularly in Khyber Paktunkhwa and Balochistan.