Islamabad, March 21, 2019 (PPI-OT): Foreign Secretary, today, briefed the Islamabad Diplomatic Corps on the historic injustice done to the forty-four Pakistanis killed in the Samjhauta Express terrorist attack in 2007 in India, with the acquittal of all four perpetrators, including Swami Aseemanand, (the mastermind of the heinous attacks and an activist of the Hindu terrorist organization, RSS who had publicly confessed his involvement) in the Samjhota Terror Attacks on 20 March 2019.
Foreign Secretary stressed that the Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) itself had earlier charge-sheeted the perpetrators. Indian media reported extensively about the connection between the Samjhauta Terrorist Attacks and Hindu extremists, including Lieutenant Colonel Purohit and Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur who were subsequently arrested in October 2008, including provision of RDX (Research department explosive). On 18 December 2010, Swami Aseemanand, the mastermind of the attack confessed publicly before the New Delhi court that Hindu terror outfits were behind the blasts.
Foreign Secretary stressed that despite repeated requests by Pakistan for a fair trial and expeditiously bringing the perpetrators to justice, after a lapse of more than 11 years, Indian courts have now exonerated the accused. Pakistan has already registered a strong demarche with the Indian High Commissioner on 20 March 2019 against the acquittal of the perpetrators of Samjhota Terror Attacks.
The Indian decision to gradually exonerate and finally acquit the perpetrators despite the presence of clear evidence against them, is a reflection of India’s callous insensitivity to the plight of the 44 families of the deceased Pakistanis, who have been waiting for more than a decade to see these terrorists brought to justice. It also demonstrates how India protects terrorists who publicly confessed their odious crimes.
This acquittal is also reflective of the Indian state policy of promoting and protecting terrorists. This state patronage of extremist Hindutva ideology is not only detrimental to the lives and liberty of all minorities in India, but also dangerous for peace and security in the region.
Foreign Secretary noted with great concern that India continues to commit gross human rights violations in Indian Occupied Kashmir. She also expressed concern that a frenzy has been created against Pakistan to gain benefits in domestic politics. Foreign Secretary urged all fair minded people to call upon India to explore all judicial remedies to ensure that the terrorists are brought to justice.
For more information, contact:
Spokesman
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Government of Pakistan
Tell: +92-51-9205494
Fax: +92-51-9204202
Cell: +92-336-5644459
Website: www.mofa.gov.pk