India slams Pakistan's 'outrageous' claim that Indian forces attacked their own cities
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, addressing a media briefing, referred to a Pakistani attack on a Gurdwara in Poonch.
He said that Pakistan has 'claimed that they did not target or attack any religious places. Instead of owning up to these attacks, Pakistan made the preposterous and outrageous claim that it was the Indian Armed Forces and the Indian Air Force that was targeting cities like Amritsar and trying to put the blame on Pakistan.
'This is nothing but a desperate attempt by Pakistan to disown its acts of aggression. But it is also true to type in its effort to deceive and mislead the world. It will not succeed.
'The Gurdwara in Poonch in particular was attacked by Pakistan and some local members of the Sikh community, including the Ragi of the Gurdwara, lost their lives in this incident,' he added.
'In addition, that we would attack our own cities is the kind of deranged fantasy that only the Pakistani State can come up with. Perhaps they do it because they are well-versed in such action, as their history would show,' the FS said.
He referred to the 'disinformation coming from Pakistan about India targeting the Nankana Sahib Gurdwara (in Pakistan) through a drone attack'.
'This is again yet another blatant lie, and part of Pakistan's disinformation campaign. As we saw in the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan is again trying desperately to impart a communal hue to the situation with an intention to create discord. Again, we are not surprised. India's steadfast unity in itself is a challenge to Pakistan,' the FS added
Asked about a Carmelite Nuns Church that has been hit in a Pakistani strike in Jammu, the FS termed it an extremely regrettable and condemnable incident.
'During heavy shelling across the line of control in the early morning of 7th May, a shell fired from Pakistan landed just behind the Christ School, run by the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, a congregation in Poonch. Tragically, the shell fired from Pakistan hit the home of two students of the Christ School. Both students unfortunately lost their lives and their parents were severely injured.'
Another Pakistani shell struck a Christian Convent of Nuns belonging to the congregation of the Mother of Carmel, damaging water tanks and destroying solar panel infrastructure. Several priests, nuns, school staff and local residents took refuge in an underground hall beneath the Christ School during the shelling by Pakistan. The school happened to be closed at the time, fortunately. Otherwise, more losses would have occurred, the FS informed.
'Again, we have seen the Pakistani side targeting and shelling places of worship with a particular design. This includes Gurdwaras, these convents, and temples. This is a new low, even for Pakistan,' the FS said.
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