Sydney attack reinforces claims of India’s global terrorism footprint

WEB DESK: Pakistan has described India as a global hub of terrorism in the wake of the deadly Sydney attack, reiterating its long-standing position that New Delhi sponsors and exports terrorism at the state level.

According to official statements and media reports, Pakistan maintains that the international community is witnessing how India allegedly promotes organised terrorism beyond its borders, a stance Islamabad says is consistent with its long-held claims. Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of backing terrorist activities not only in occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan, but also in countries such as Canada, the United States and parts of Europe.

Officials say the Sydney attack is being cited as fresh evidence of what they describe as India’s state-sponsored terrorism on a global scale. International media outlets have also published reports highlighting alleged links between the attackers and India, which critics say have exposed the policies of the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Many social media accounts and news platforms tried their best to create a propaganda against a Pakistani youth who was quick to call out the misinformation.

Security sources in Australia have reportedly been in contact with India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), a development that, according to Pakistani officials, raises serious questions about the agency’s possible role in the attack.

Global media reports have stated that one of the attackers, Sajid Akram, travelled on an Indian passport. Philippine immigration authorities have confirmed that a father and son involved in the Sydney shooting, both of Indian nationality, had visited the Philippines shortly before the attack. The suspects, identified as 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram, are also reported to hold Australian citizenship. They arrived in the Philippines from Sydney on November 1 and returned on November 28.

The BBC reported that Philippine authorities confirmed Sajid Akram travelled on an Indian passport, while Australia’s ABC cited security sources as saying the two men may have received militant training in southern Philippines last month. Bloomberg reported that India’s foreign ministry has yet to issue any response to the Sydney attack, a silence Pakistani officials claim further strengthens their allegations.

Meanwhile, multiple casualties were reported in the Sydney attack, which continues to be investigated by Australian authorities.

Separately, the hashtag #ThankYouJinnah has been trending on social media, with users in Pakistan and abroad paying tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his leadership in the creation of Pakistan. Social media users have shared messages thanking Jinnah for securing a homeland where they say Muslims can live with freedom, security and dignity, particularly at moments of national reflection and historical remembrance.

Web Desk