Islamabad reeled on Friday after a devastating suicide bombing ripped through a crowded mosque in the capital, killing at least 69 people and injuring more than 170 others in one of the deadliest attacks in recent years. 

As shock and grief spread across Pakistan, the aftermath quickly escalated into a sharp war of words, with India and Afghanistan rejecting accusations from Islamabad and instead turning the spotlight back on Pakistan's own security failures and internal challenges.

In a strongly worded statement issued from New Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs condemned the bombing and expressed condolences for the loss of innocent lives. However, it categorically rejected any suggestion of Indian involvement, calling such claims "baseless and pointless." 

The statement said it was "unfortunate that, instead of seriously addressing the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan chooses to delude itself by blaming others for its home-grown ills."

India's response came after comments from Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, who claimed that the attacker had links to Afghanistan and alleged an emerging nexus between India and the Afghan Taliban. 

In a post on X, Asif said the bomber had been moving between Afghanistan and Pakistan and accused India of waging a proxy campaign after what he described as a "humiliating defeat," alleging New Delhi no longer had the courage for direct conflict.

Source:Ndtv