Pakistan rejects hand in Dhaka attack

Pakistan on Monday dismissed as "highly regrettable, irresponsible and provocative" the reports in the Indian media that the country was involved in the terrorist attack in Dhaka.

Seven gunmen armed with blades, guns and explosives stormed a Spanish restaurant in Dhaka and killed 20 hostages, including 18 foreigners, on Friday night in Bangladesh's worst hostage crisis.

In response to the media queries regarding allegations of Pakistan's involvement in Dhaka's terrorist attack, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry stressed that these are highly regrettable, irresponsible and provocative stories being carried in the Indian media.

"They are utterly baseless and unfounded. Pakistan strongly rejects such allegations," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

An Indian TV earlier attributed remarks to the Adviser to the Prime Minster of Bangladesh, Prof. Gowher Rizvi, that Pakistan's security agency was behind the attack.

The Pakistani spokesman said the adviser to the prime minster of Bangladesh has refuted the Indian media story attributed to him regarding Pakistan's involvement, as a proof of the Indian media's malicious intent.

"Prof. Rizvi contacted Pakistan's High Commissioner to Bangladesh to confirm that he has not issued any statement against Pakistan and that the Indian media reports are false. He also advised the Pakistan's High Commissioner to convey this clarification to the government of Pakistan, to avoid any misunderstanding between the two countries,"he said.

The spokesman said Pakistan deeply appreciates Prof. Gowher's timely rebuttal to the Indian media's reports.

Pakistan has strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Dhaka and expressed solidarity with the government and the brotherly people of Bangladesh and offered condolences and sympathized with the families of the victims. Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Being itself one of the biggest victims of terrorism, Pakistan welcomes Prof. Gowher Rizvi's call for international cooperation to fight the menace of terrorism, the spokesperson said in statement. Endit