India and Pakistan Engage in War of Words Over Extrajudicial Killings
Tensions are running high between India and Pakistan following a news report alleging that Delhi has carried out at least 20 extrajudicial killings in its neighboring country.
While India has not officially responded to the accusations published in The Guardian last week, its defense minister issued a strong statement on Friday, warning that anyone who disrupts peace in India and escapes to Pakistan will be eliminated.
Pakistan swiftly condemned the remarks as provocative, further escalating the already strained relationship between the two nations. Since gaining independence in 1947, India and Pakistan have engaged in three wars, with their most recent conflict in 2019.
During the 2019 clash, India conducted airstrikes on militant camps in Pakistan’s Balakot region in retaliation for a suicide attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that claimed the lives of 40 troops. The attack was attributed to the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad.
The latest round of tensions was sparked by The Guardian’s report, which alleges India’s involvement in the targeted killings of at least 20 individuals in Pakistan since 2020. This accusation follows similar claims made by Canada against India for extrajudicial killings.
As India gears up for upcoming general elections, the issue of Pakistan remains a contentious topic. Politicians, particularly from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), often leverage anti-Pakistan sentiments to garner support from voters.
The report cited senior officials from Pakistani intelligence agencies who implicated India’s Research & Analysis Wing (RAW) in the assassinations, claiming that India had intensified its cross-border operations targeting dissidents after the Pulwama attack.
While India has not formally responded to the allegations, its foreign ministry previously denied any involvement in extrajudicial killings in other countries. However, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s recent comments on taking action against terrorists in Pakistan have further fueled the tensions.
Pakistan has condemned India’s threats, labeling them as provocative and urging the international community to hold India accountable for its alleged illegal actions. Islamabad claims to have evidence linking India to extrajudicial killings and warns against further escalation of hostilities.
With both countries at odds over the sensitive issue, the future of their already fragile relationship remains uncertain. As accusations and denials continue to fly, the simmering tensions between India and Pakistan show no signs of abating.
