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India has rejected Pakistan’s accusation that it was behind a deadly terrorist attack in North Waziristan District earlier that day, calling the claim “false and malicious,” according to a statement from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. This comes after Islamabad accused New Delhi of sponsoring terrorism following an attack on Saturday morning in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which borders Afghanistan.

In the attack, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a military convoy, followed by indiscriminate firing. The Pakistan Army said 13 soldiers were killed and three civilians injured, including two children. AFP news agency initially reported, citing the authorities, that 29 civilians were injured in the attack.

Hours after the incident, the Pakistan Army’s Inter-Services Public Relations wing issued a statement accusing India of backing the terrorists: “In a cowardly attack, planned and orchestrated by the terrorist state of India and executed by its proxy Fitna al Khwarij, a Security Forces convoy was targeted today in the general area of Mir Ali, North Waziristan District.” 

It went on to say: “The security forces of Pakistan, in step with the nation, remain steadfast in their resolve to eradicate Indian-sponsored terrorism from the country, and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers and innocent civilians further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nation at all costs.” 

In another statement, the Pakistan Army said Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir visited Corps Headquarters in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he was briefed on the security situation and ongoing counterterrorism operations. 

Media reports earlier indicated that the Pakistani-based Taliban faction, the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group, claimed responsibility for the bombing. 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has long been a point of contention between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad often blaming the Taliban for providing safe haven to outlawed militant groups that stage attacks on security personnel and civilians. 

In March 2024, five Chinese workers and their local driver were killed in a suicide bomb attack in the province. Pakistan identified the attacker as an Afghan national and claimed the attack was planned in Afghanistan.

Islamabad previously accused New Delhi of supporting militants and separatist movements in the province of Balochistan, where terrorist attacks are also frequent. India has rejected these claims, accusing Pakistan of funding cross-border terrorism, including the April 22 attack on civilians in Kashmir that led to a military and diplomatic standoff between the neighboring states in May.

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