‘Pak to be blamed for Afghan attacks’

In a veiled attack on Pakistan, India said the recent terror attack on an Afghan Army bas ‘demonstrate that safe havens and support systems continue to be available to the terrorists’ and that ‘states hosting the terrorists and their sanctuaries must eliminate them immediately and without distinction.’

In a statement on Thursday, the MEA said, “We strongly condemn the barbaric attack on Friday at the Afghan National Army base in Kandahar province. Coming on the heels of similar tragedies in Paktia and Ghazni, we share the grief of the families of the victims and the suffering of the Afghan people. India is gravely concerned at the recent escalation of terrorist violence against Afghanistan, despite hopes recently kindled by new strategies as well as efforts for bringing peace in the country. The terror attacks demonstrate that safe havens and support systems continue to be available to the terrorists.”

The MEA added, “The beginning of Afghanowned and Afghan-led national reconciliation requires an end to violence. States hosting the terrorists and their sanctuaries must eliminate them immediately and without distinction. These concerns were also highlighted on Thursday by the United Nations Security Council. India expresses solidarity with the people and the Government of Afghanistan in these difficult times.”

According to news agency reports, at least 43 Afghan soldiers were killed and nine wounded in a Taliban terror strike in Afghanistan on Wednesday.