The Ministry of External Affairs has refuted recent reports alleging India’s involvement in targeted killings in Pakistan following the 2019 Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir. These reports, as stated by the ministry, are labeled as “false and malicious anti-India propaganda.”
The Guardian published a report quoting intelligence operatives from both India and Pakistan, suggesting that India carried out targeted assassinations in Pakistan as part of a broader strategy to eliminate terrorists residing on foreign soil. These alleged actions were reportedly intensified after the Pulwama terror attack in 2019, which claimed the lives of 40 Indian soldiers and was later claimed by the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed.
The report further detailed that, according to documents shared by Pakistani investigators, India’s intelligence agency, RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), allegedly conducted 20 targeted killings on foreign soil. It highlighted a significant increase in targeted assassinations in 2023, with around 15 suspected deaths attributed to Indian involvement. The victims were allegedly shot at close range by unknown gunmen, with Indian intelligence sleeper cells allegedly operating mainly from the United Arab Emirates.
In response to these allegations, the Ministry of External Affairs reiterated a statement made by Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, affirming that targeted killings in other countries were “not the policy of the government of India.” The ministry dismissed the claims as part of an orchestrated attempt at “false and malicious anti-India propaganda.”
The report also mentioned claims by Canada alleging Indian government involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who was shot outside a gurdwara in Surrey on June 18, 2023.
Additionally, the report suggested that Indian intelligence operatives drew inspiration from agencies like Israel’s Mossad and Russia’s KGB, known for extrajudicial killings on foreign soil. RAW officials were said to have cited the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018 as a reference.
Analysts mentioned in the report stated that Pakistani authorities seemed hesitant to publicly acknowledge these killings, considering that most targets were known terrorists or associates of outlawed groups.
The strained relations between India and Pakistan have been ongoing for years, with Pakistan accused of sponsoring terrorism, harboring India’s declared terrorists, and its continued occupation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, expressed hopes for improved bilateral ties with India post the upcoming general elections in India, as reported by Geo News.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar later mentioned on April 4 that India’s relations with all neighbors, except China and Pakistan, have shown significant improvement compared to previous times.
This latest development highlights the complex dynamics and ongoing tensions between the two neighboring countries, with allegations and counter-allegations adding to the existing challenges in the region.
