MEA slams 'delirious Pakistani leadership' for baseless India blame over Islamabad attack

India came down heavily on Pakistan for making unfounded claims against the country over the Islamabad suicide attack. The Pakistan government accused India of the attack even when the Pakistan Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, claimed responsibility for the attack near Islamabad District Judicial Complex.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal slammed the Pakistan government and said, "India unequivocally rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations being made by an obviously delirious Pakistani leadership."

Calling it Pakistan's "predictable tactic", Jaiswal said it was an attempt by Pakistan "to concoct false narratives against India in order to deflect the attention of its own public from the ongoing military-inspired constitutional subversion and power-grab unfolding within the country."

"The international community is well aware of the reality and will not be misled by Pakistan's desperate diversionary ploys," Jaiswal added.

The deadly suicide blast near the Islamabad District Judicial Complex on Tuesday claimed 12 lives, and over 25 people suffered grievous injuries. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack. "Judges, lawyers and officials who carried out rulings under Pakistan’s un-Islamic laws were targeted," the TTP said in a statement.

However, despite the Pakistan Taliban's claim, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blamed India for the attack. Sharif charged  "Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies" were behind the attack. "These attacks are a continuation of India's state-sponsored terrorism aimed at destabilizing Pakistan. No condemnation is enough for these attacks being carried out from Afghan soil under Indian patronage," he said.