ISI blames India of 'playing dangerous game' by funding 'extremist elements' in Karachi

Islamabad, Jan 28(ANI): Pakistan's intelligence and military officials have accused India of "playing a dangerous game" by attempting to "destabilise Pakistan".

Senior officials from the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) and the Pakistan Army said in interviews with Gulf News that they "have evidence" of Indian involvement in the terrorist attacks in Karachi and Lahore.

A senior ISI official alleged that India attempts to "destabilise Pakistan" by supporting militant groups in Karachi by "funds and arms".

Karachi, the economic hub of the country, has witnessed dozens of attacks and target killings over the past few years. Pakistani officials say the attacks, especially those on shrines, were aimed at "fomenting sedition among religious communities" to destabilise the country.

"India is playing a dangerous game" in Karachi, a top ISI official was quoted as saying on the condition of anonymity. He said his agency had "evidence" that Indian intelligence was arming and funding "extremist elements" to weaken their neighbour.

"People are getting money from India to create problems for Pakistan in Karachi" and other areas, he stressed, adding, "India should understand that it will be affected most if Pakistan is destabilised."

The Pakistan Army's official spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said India realises that Pakistan's military is "over-stretched" because of extensive anti-terror operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas.

"Therefore, they support elements that engage in terrorist campaign on our urban cities," he added.

Abbas also said India was being suspected of arming and funding extremist elements, and even distributing 'anti-Pakistan hate literature' in the Pakistani province of Balochistan, which borders Afghanistan. (ANI)