Target Killings
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to bring attention to what it claims are India’s orchestrated “target assassinations” by reaching out to the United States and Canada. The move is aimed at briefing these countries about India’s alleged campaign that Pakistan asserts is in violation of international law and principles of the UN charter. Islamabad has accused India of carrying out “extra-territorial and extra-judicial” killings, with over a dozen people reportedly targeted in mysterious killings over the past two years.
Foreign Secretary Cyrus Qazi, in a recent media appearance, disclosed that India was implicated in at least two cases based on investigations conducted by Pakistani authorities. The two target killings mentioned involve Shahid Latif and Muhammad Riaz. Pakistan claims to possess credible evidence linking Indian secret agencies with these incidents.
According to officials familiar with the investigations, Pakistan plans to brief Canada and the U.S. about its findings. Additionally, Pakistan aims to inform members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) about what it describes as India’s “sinister” campaign.
The official revealed that India employed a sophisticated and well-organized campaign, using agents operating from a third country who recruited local individuals, including petty criminals and those with a “Jihadi mindset,” to carry out their plans in Pakistan. Techniques included misinformation and manipulation, with Indian agents misleading locals about the targets.
Pakistan alleges that India’s actions constitute a serious breach of territorial integrity and sovereignty. The move to highlight these cases is positioned as addressing a significant issue rather than engaging in typical India-Pakistan public posturing.
The official stressed the importance of due process of law, emphasizing that no country should allow extra-judicial and extra-territorial killings. Pakistan asserts that India has not shared any information about the individuals targeted in these alleged assassinations.
