Stop blaming Pak for terror attacks, give proof on Azhar: Chinese media

BEIJING: India should focus on redrawing its anti-terrorism policy rather than blaming Pakistan without evidence for the Pulwama attack and holding China responsible for blocking efforts to list JEM chief, Masood Azhar, as a terrorist at the UN also without proof, Chinese state media has said.

India has failed to provide “solid evidence” against Azhar and China has rightly practised caution against listing him as a terrorist, the state media comment piece said. It advised “quiet diplomacy” on India’s part to “better address” the Azhar issue.

At least 40 Indian troopers were killed in Pulwama in the worst suicide bombing in Kashmir, an attack claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-mohammed (JEM), proscribed as terror group since 2002 by the UN.

The comment piece published in the nationalistic tabloid Global Times — affiliated to the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) mouthpiece, People’s Daily — dismissed New Delhi’s assertions.

“Without solid evidence, India has long accused Pakistan of sponsoring terrorist attacks by JEM and other militant groups and China of providing uncritical support for Pakistan,” the article said. It asked a rhetorical question: “Instead of simply blaming other countries, especially Pakistan and China, shouldn’t the Indian government make more self-introspection on its anti-terrorism policy and dwell more on how to better administer ... Kashmir?”

“As for the issue of listing Azhar, Beijing has reiterated its stand several times that New Delhi should provide solid facts and proofs for banning Azhar.”