Islamabad: Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Moeed Yousuf on Sunday accused India of the June 23 bomb blast outside the house of Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed. Pakistan alleged that the mastermind of the attack is an Indian national and is linked to RAW (Research and Analysis Wing).
Three persons were killed and 24 others injured when the powerful car bomb exploded outside Saeed’s residence at the Board of Revenue (BOR) Housing Society in Johar Town in Lahore on June 23.
At the same time, Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted and alleged that "the link of planning and financing of this heinous terrorist attack is from India." He appealed to the global community to unite international institutions against this behavior. There was no official response from the Indian Foreign Ministry, but according to sources, the Pakistani allegations are baseless and false.
"I want to make sure that our message is heard very clearly that this particular incident on 23rd of June in Lahore we have concrete evidence and intelligence including financial and telephone records that point to direct Indian sponsorship of these terrorists," said National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yousaf at a joint news conference with Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Punjab Police IG Inam Ghani on Sunday.
“Through the forensic analysis, electronic equipment, which has been recovered from these terrorists, we have identified the main mastermind and the handlers of this terrorist attack and we have absolutely no doubt or reservation in informing you that the main mastermind belongs to RAW, the Indian intelligence agency, is an Indian national, and is based in India,” he said.
Pakistan’s accusations come at a time when the two sides are engaged in back-channel conversations to bring the bilateral relationship back on track. These talks have been ongoing for the past few months, with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval leading the Indian initiative with Pakistan’s civilian-military leadership.
(With agency inputs)