MEA Hits Out at Pakistan After Tahawwur Rana’s Extradition: ‘Global Terror Epicentre Can’t Hide Truth’
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the extradition of Tahawwur Rana sends a strong message to Pakistan on accountability for the 26/11 attacks, reaffirming India’s stance on Kashmir and cross-border terrorism.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday issued a sharp response to Pakistan following the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Rana’s return to India from the United States highlights the need for Pakistan to take concrete action against the masterminds of the 2008 carnage.
Jaiswal stressed that despite its efforts, Pakistan cannot shake off its image as the “epicenter of global terrorism.”
Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani-Canadian businessman, was extradited to India after a U.S. court dismissed his appeal against the move. Once brought to India earlier this month, a Delhi court remanded him to the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Rana is facing serious charges under Indian law, including criminal conspiracy to wage war against the country (Section 120-B with Section 121 of IPC), conspiracy to commit a terrorist act (Section 120-B with Section 16 of the UAPA), and murder (Section 302 of IPC).
MEA Responds to Pakistan Army Chief’s Kashmir Remarks
The MEA also hit back at Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s recent comments on Kashmir. Addressing a gathering in Islamabad, Munir called Kashmir the “jugular vein” of Pakistan and pledged continued support for the region’s “struggle” against what he termed “Indian occupation,” according to Media Report.
Rejecting the statement, Jaiswal reiterated India’s firm position: “Jammu and Kashmir is a union territory of India. The only connection Pakistan has with it is the obligation to vacate the illegally occupied parts of that territory.”
India continues to call on Pakistan to dismantle terrorist infrastructure operating from its soil and to bring those responsible for orchestrating the Mumbai attacks to justice.
(With inputs from ANI)