Top News

Pakistan’s Islamabad was shaken during Friday prayers when a horrific suicide attack in a crowded mosque in the capital shook the entire Pakistan. At least 69 people died in this attack, while more than 170 people are said to be injured. It is considered to be one of the deadliest terrorist attacks in the country in recent years.

After the attack, while on one hand there is an atmosphere of mourning and anger throughout Pakistan, on the other hand this tragedy quickly turned into a diplomatic confrontation. Rejecting the allegations made by Islamabad, India and Afghanistan have put Pakistan’s internal security failures and ‘domestic problems’ in the dock.

India termed the allegations as ‘baseless and meaningless’

In a strong statement issued from New Delhi, India’s External Affairs Ministry condemned the Islamabad attack and expressed condolences over the loss of innocent lives. However, the statement vehemently rejected allegations of any Indian involvement.

India clearly said that such allegations are baseless and meaningless. The statement said, ‘It is unfortunate that instead of seriously dealing with the problems that have gripped its social fabric, Pakistan is choosing to confuse itself with its domestic failures by blaming others.’ This statement of India came after the claim of Pakistan Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, in which he had alleged the attacker’s connection with Afghanistan and alleged nexus between India and Afghan Taliban.

Pak Defense Minister’s claim: Accusation on Afghanistan-India

Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif posted on social media platform X that the suicide bomber was moving between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He alleged that India is running a ‘proxy war’. Asif claimed that after a humiliating defeat, India has no courage left for direct conflict and that is why it is adopting the path of indirect war.

Kabul’s sharp reply: “Habitual allegations without evidence”

The Taliban government of Afghanistan reacted strongly to these allegations of Pakistan. A statement issued by an Afghan Defense Ministry spokesperson condemned the Islamabad attack, but also accused Pakistani officials of “irresponsible” and habitual blaming. The statement said that Pakistan has repeatedly blamed Afghanistan for the attacks in Balochistan and other areas, that too without necessary investigation and without any kind of investigation or verification. Terming these allegations as beyond any logic or basis, the Afghan Ministry said that all this is an attempt by Pakistan to divert attention from its own security failures.

Afghanistan raised questions: Why could the attack not be stopped?

The Afghan Defense Ministry asked Pakistan a direct question, saying that if Pakistani agencies could identify the attackers immediately after the attack, then why did they fail to stop such attacks earlier? The statement said that ‘such hasty comments can neither hide security failures nor solve existing problems. The Taliban government reiterated that it is committed to Islamic principles and does not consider the killing of innocents justified for any political purpose. She made it clear that she neither supports nor gives shelter to those responsible for such attacks.

‘No blame, need for cooperation’

Kabul appealed to Islamabad that instead of shirking responsibility, it should review its policies, strengthen internal security and adopt the path of ‘positive cooperation and constructive engagement, and not promote enmity’ with neighboring countries.

Explosion inside the mosque, chaos in hospitals

According to Pakistani officials, the suicide bomber blew himself up inside the mosque when he was stopped by security personnel. The explosion was so powerful that hundreds of people gathered for namaz got hit by it. There was an atmosphere of chaos throughout the night in the hospitals of Islamabad. Doctors and medical staff said that the number of injured was so high that resources for treatment fell short.

Experts’ opinion: Pakistan’s increasing diplomatic difficulties

Experts on regional security matters say that this entire incident highlights Pakistan’s increasing diplomatic isolation. According to a security expert of South Asia, ‘Blaming the neighbors has now become a habit of Pakistan, but its credibility at the international level is continuously decreasing.’ Analysts believe that on this issue, both India and Afghanistan are in one voice telling Pakistan that it will have to deal with the extremist networks and ideological cracks operating within its country.

increasing pressure amid grief

As the families of the dead mourn and the injured fight for their lives, the pressure on the Pakistani government for accountability and concrete action is increasing. This tragedy in Islamabad not only highlights serious security lapses, but has also deepened regional tensions.