Mosque attack planned in Afghanistan, funded by India: Mohsin Naqvi
Pakistan
Says nearly all perpetrators linked to attack have been arrested
He urged the public to support security agencies through community intelligence. “We are in a state of war.”
“There are 21 terrorist organisations currently based in Afghanistan. Even the UN has reported this,” he said.
Pakistan was acting as a “defensive wall” against terrorist spillover in the region. “If this wall weakens even slightly, others will feel the pain. Their budget has tripled since May
ISLAMABAD (APP) - Federal Minister for Interior Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday accused India of financing and directing terrorist networks operating from Afghanistan, claiming they were behind Friday’s suicide bombing at an Islamabad mosque that killed 31 worshippers.
Addressing a press conference in the federal capital, Naqvi said the attack was “planned, trained, and executed” through Daesh operatives based in Afghanistan, with foreign funding flowing in “directly in dollars.”
“Let me be very clear: India is funding them. India is giving them their targets. India is planning every step for them,” the interior minister said.
“These organizations are on their payroll. The world may stay silent today, but a day will come when every country will acknowledge who is sponsoring this terrorism.”
Naqvi said Pakistan’s law-enforcement agencies launched immediate operations after the blast and worked through the night. By 3 am, he said, the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police had arrested nearly all individuals linked to the attack.
He confirmed that four facilitators were detained during raids in Peshawar and Nowshera, and that the alleged mastermind — an Afghan national affiliated with Daesh — was also in custody. One KP police officer was martyred during the operation.
“All planning and training took place in Afghanistan. We now have people in custody who have given full details of how the attacker was transported, trained, and sent back,” he said.
The minister insisted that terrorist groups including TTP, Daesh, and other foreign outfits “work together” and operate from Afghan soil.
“There are 21 terrorist organizations currently based in Afghanistan. Even the UN has reported this,” he said.
Naqvi said Pakistan was acting as a “defensive wall” against terrorist spillover in the region. “If this wall weakens even slightly, others will feel the pain. Their budget has tripled since May.”
He vowed to take the matter to international forums. “Our Deputy Prime Minister will be briefed, and our missions abroad will update the world.”
Responding to criticism of security agencies, Naqvi said that for every successful attack, “ninety-nine” attempts were thwarted. “If 100 attacks were being planned, 99 were blocked,” he said.
He urged the public to support security agencies through community intelligence. “We are in a state of war. When people report suspicious individuals, that activates the entire system.”
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The minister also accused Indian media of amplifying propaganda by banned outfits such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). “BLA produces high-quality videos, carries out attacks, and those videos immediately appear on Indian channels. Yet no one questions why.”
Naqvi acknowledged resource constraints within Pakistan’s security apparatus, saying the budget was far lower than often claimed. “I wish I could meet all the requirements of our security forces. There are small things they need that I cannot provide due to financial issues.”
He added that terrorists possess advanced American weapons and technology left behind in Afghanistan, creating an imbalance that Pakistan must urgently address.
Naqvi also outlined upcoming security upgrades for the capital, including reinforcement of 93 entry points, improvements to Islamabad’s smart-security system, and recruitment of 6,000 new police personnel to address the aging force.
“We will close the gaps, InshAllah. Pakistan remains safe, and we will continue fighting,” he said, adding that further briefings would follow as investigations progress.
