Islamabad, 25 January 2024 (TDI): Foreign Secretary of Pakistan in a media briefing today presented details of sophisticated and sinister Indian campaign of extra-territorial and extra-judicial killings inside Pakistan.
Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi said during the press briefing said that we have credible evidence of links between Indian agents and assassination of two Pakistani nationals on Pakistani soil.
In Particular he highlighted that these were killings-for-hire cases involving a sophisticated international setup spread over multiple jurisdictions. He accused Indian agents to commit assassination in Pakistan aided by technology and safe havens on foreign soil.
Moreover, they recruited, financed, and supported criminals, terrorists and unsuspecting civilians to play defined roles in these assassinations.
While discussing the backing of media he said that Indian media and social media accounts immediately claimed and glorified these killings as successful retribution against “enemies” of India and projected their capacity to carry out these illegal acts.
Specifically, the Foreign Secretary highlighted two cases of extra-territorial killings by Indian agents. A detailed investigation revealed that the agents based in a third country orchestrated the assassination through criminals and terrorists.
Identified cases of India’s extra-territorial killings
The first case was the assassination of Shahid Latif, catered out on October 11th. A group of criminals assassinated Shahid Latif outside a mosque in the city of Sialkot. A detailed investigation revealed that an Indian agent, Yogesh Kumar orchestrated the assassination.
Yogesh Kumar recruited Muhammad Umair, a laborer in that third country to act as a contact with local criminals in Pakistan to trace and assassinate Shahid Latif. After some failed attempts, Muhammad Umair was personally sent to carry out the mission.
Muhammad Umair was apprehended including other target killers, who was trying to flee the country after assassination. The foreign secretary noted the evidence of transactions made in the process linking the entire chain to Indian agent Yogesh Kumar.
Second case was of the assassination of Muhammad Riaz who was assassinated during Fajr prayer, in a mosque in Rawalakot on September 8th. Law enforcement agencies tracked the killer Muhammad Abdullah and apprehended him while boarding a flight at Karachi airport.
Interrogation revealed that Muhamad Abdullah was recruited and guided by Indian agents Ashok Kumar Anand and Yogesh Kumar. It was also told that these agents used social media app, telegram, to recruit Muhammad Abdullah Ali.
Furthermore, the Foreign Secretary said that we have documentary, financial, and forensic evidence of the involvement of the two Indian agents who masterminded these assassinations. The Foreign office also released the passport details of Yogesh Kumar and Ashok Kumar.
In addition, he also said that there are few other cases of similar gravity at various stages of investigation. Also, the foreign office had reached out to the governments of relevant third countries.
Conclusions by Foreign Office Pakistan
These cases reveal growing sophistication and brazenness of Indian sponsored terrorist acts inside Pakistan. Pakistan has remained a target of extra-judicial killings for some time now. We are now witnessing an increased sophistication in these operations as revealed in these two cases.
They fit the pattern of similar cases which have come to light in other countries including Canada and the United States. Clearly the Indian network of extra-judicial and extra-territorial killings has become a global phenomenon.
It is critical to bring to justice the killers, their facilitators and financers involved in these assassinations. Indian agents need to face justice for its extra-judicial and extra- territorial killings in Pakistan and other countries.
India’s assassination of Pakistan nationals on Pakistani soil is violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and a breach of the UN Charter. This violation of Pakistan sovereignty by India is completely unacceptable.
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Pakistan remains committed to protecting its people and securing its sovereignty. Protection of Pakistanis and any foreign national on Pakistani soil is a high priority for the Government of Pakistan.
India’s reckless and irresponsible act calls into question India’s reliability as a credible international player and its claims for enhanced global responsibilities. India must be held accountable internationally for its blatant violation of international law.
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