Islamabad accuses India of being behind terror acts in Pakistan

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD (AA) - Pakistan caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti accused the Indian premier intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), on Saturday of being behind terror attacks in Pakistan.

Bugti condemned Friday's bombing of an Islamic religious gathering and said nearly 55 people were killed.

"We know each and everything who is supporting these terrorist groups and activities and will bring them out from their hideouts," Bugti told reporters in Quetta, the capital of southwestern Balochistan province. His remarks were aired on state-run Radio Pakistan’s Facebook page.

He accused the RAW and said the intelligence agency provides support to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the umbrella terror organization for several militant groups and the Daesh/ISIS terror group in the region.

India has in the past called Pakistan allegations "baseless propaganda."

Bugti arrived in Quetta following the deadly attack Friday that targeted the birthday celebration procession of Prophet Muhammad in Mastung district.

He said his government will use all force against militants and will hit training centers and hideouts, without explaining if Islamabad could also hit hideouts inside Afghanistan. Pakistan has claimed that TTP militants are based in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan, however, rejects the accusation.

Media reports recently said the Taliban interim administration in Afghanistan launched a crackdown on TTP militants in the eastern provinces of Kunar and Nuristan, arresting 200 terrorists.

The development was confirmed Thursday by Pakistan caretaker Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani.