Pakistani Taliban retracts claim it was behind Islamabad suicide bombing
What's the story
The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has denied responsibility for the suicide bombing in Islamabad on Tuesday. The attack, which took place outside district court buildings, left 12 people dead. Initially, a breakaway faction of the TTP called Jamaat-ul-Ahrar had claimed responsibility for the attack. However, senior leader Sarbakaf Mohmand and TTP spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani have now denied any involvement.
Accusations
Pakistan leaders quick to blame India, Afghanistan
Following the attack, Pakistani leaders were quick to blame India and Afghanistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called it "India's state-sponsored terrorism." Defense Minister Khawaja Asif echoed similar sentiments, saying, "We are in a state of war." Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also blamed "Indian-backed elements and Afghan Taliban proxies" for the bombing.
Rejection
India rejects Pakistan's allegations
India has rejected Pakistan's allegations. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "India unequivocally rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations being made by an obviously delirious Pakistani leadership." He added that it's a predictable tactic for Pakistan to concoct false narratives against India to divert attention from its own internal issues.
Initial claim
Earlier, TTP had claimed responsibility for attack
In an earlier statement, the TTP had claimed responsibility for targeting judicial officials. They had said, "Our fighter attacked the judicial commission in Islamabad. Judges, lawyers and officials who carried out rulings under Pakistan's un-Islamic laws were targeted." The group had also threatened more attacks "until Islamic Sharia law is implemented."