`WASHINGTON: The US State Department on Thursday declined to comment on India’s involvement in the murder of two Pakistani nationals in Sialkot and Rawalakot in 2023.
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 in response to a media query.
“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.
Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi made the revelation earlier today in a press conference, where he said 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 law enforcement agencies have apprehended the target killers involved in the assassination attempts and the investigations confirmed New Delhi’s hand into these murders.
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.
Read more: ‘Credible evidence’ of links between Indian agents and assassination of 2 Pakistanis: Qazi
