Regional peace will remain elusive, the prime minister warned, until India abandons what he described as aggressive and expansionist ambitions destabilising South Asia
By Asghar Ali Mubara/Mehrab Shah Afridi
ISLAMABAD: In the wake of recent deadly attacks in Balochistan, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused India on Thursday of orchestrating terrorism across Pakistan through proxy groups, following what he described as a humiliating defeat in Marka-e-Haq — the period of conflict with India from 22 April to 10 May last year.
“Durable peace in South Asia cannot be established until India abandons its aggressive, expansionist designs and nefarious conspiracies,” the prime minister said while addressing a special session on Kashmir Solidarity Day at the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) legislative assembly in Muzaffarabad.
His remarks come after recent attacks by India-backed Fitna al-Hindustan — Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) terrorists — across several districts in Balochistan over the past weekend. Civilians were targeted in Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni on 31 January.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces concluded Operation Raddul Fitna 1, killing at least 216 s during coordinated engagements and clearance operations. However, 36 civilians, including women and children, and 22 security personnel lost their lives in the operations.
“Today, we have gathered to show solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Pakistan is present to express unwavering support for their cause,” he said, paying tribute to the sacrifices of Kashmiri freedom fighters. “The sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go in vain,” he added.
Highlighting the resilience of Kashmiris, he said: “History shows they are ready to sacrifice their children but never their freedom. Every day, Kashmiris hold up a mirror of truth to the world.”
The prime minister recalled the vision of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who called Kashmir the “jugular vein of Pakistan,” asserting that Kashmir has never been, and will never be, part of India. He praised the decisive victory in Marka-e-Haq under Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Asim Munir, which he said humbled Indian arrogance.
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