Indian Intel agency RAW formed to 'wipe Pak off world map,' says Pak minister
Islamabad: Pakistan's military has accused India's main intelligence agency of whipping up terrorism in Pakistan in public criticism that could increase tension between the nuclear-armed rivals.
The accusation came after a meeting of the army's top commanders at the military's headquarters in the city of Rawalpindi on Tuesday to review an offensive against militants in the northwest and other security issues.
"The conference also took serious notice of RAW's involvement in whipping up terrorism in Pakistan," the army said in a statement, referring to Research and Analysis Wing or RAW which is India's external intelligence arm.
While Pakistani army officers often privately accuse India of meddling, a public accusation in an official statement is rare.
Pakistan believes India is supporting separatists in resource-rich Baluchistan province, as well as militants fighting the state. It also sees India as fuelling strife in the volatile city of Karachi.
India firmly denies interference in Pakistan and points to Pakistan's support of militants who launch attacks in India, often by crossing into Kashmir under cover provided by Pakistani troops.
A Pakistani official with knowledge of the commanders' meeting said they had discussed what they believed to be India's involvement in the Baluchistan insurgency.
"It was unanimously felt that India is providing all kinds of support to Pakistan's enemies, be they the (Pakistani) Taliban, or elements in Karachi or in Baluchistan," said the official who declined to be identified.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said in a television interview aired later that RAW was "an enemy organisation".
"RAW has been formed to undo Pakistan and to wipe Pakistan off the map of the world," the minister said.
Late last month, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accused India of failing to respond to Pakistan's desire for good relations.
India has expressed its strong opposition to the bail granted by a Pakistani court to Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, who plotted the 2008 assault in Mumbai in which 166 people were killed.
