The US State Department declined to comment on India’s involvement in the murder of two Pakistani nationals in Sialkot and Rawalakot last year.
Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi revealed on Thursday that Shahid Latif was assassinated outside a mosque in Sialkot on October 11 while Muhammad Riaz was “assassinated” during Fajr prayers inside a mosque in Rawalakot on September 8.
He said that the LEAs have apprehended the target killers involved in the assassinations and the investigations confirmed the involvement of New Delh in these murders.
When asked for a response comment on the pressing matter, a US State Department spokesperson declined to comment.
“I would refer you to Pakistani authorities on this and have nothing further to add,” the official said, according to Geo News.
“Today, Pakistan said that they have arrested Indian agents allegedly involved in the killing of two Pakistani nationals on its soil in a similar fashion as a Sikh leader was assassinated in Canada,” he was asked. The query had also mentioned the Indian attempts to assassinate a US national on its soil.
However, the government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected Ottawa’s allegations and has launched an investigation into Washington’s claims.
Revealing the details about the incidents, the foreign secretary said: “These are killings-for-hire cases involving a sophisticated international set-up spread over multiple jurisdictions.”
“India’s reckless and irresponsible act calls into question its reliability as a credible international player and its claims for enhanced global responsibilities,” the top diplomat said.
Providing details of the “sophisticated and sinister” Indian campaign of killings inside Pakistan, Qazi said that the Indian agents used technology and safe havens on foreign soil to commit assassinations in Pakistan.
“They recruited, financed, and supported criminals, terrorists, and unsuspecting civilians to play defined roles in these assassinations,” he added.
He lambasted Indian media and social media accounts for their quick claims and glorification of the said killings as “successful retribution against ‘enemies’ of India” and projecting their capacity to carry out these illegal acts.
Qazi said, “Potential assassins were recruited, using social media, talent spotters and fake Da’esh accounts.”
