Karzai blames Lashkar-i-Taiba for Indian consulate attack
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NEW DELHI: Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday accused Lashkar-i-Taiba (LT) – a Pakistan-based Kashmiri rebel group – of being behind last week’s attack by gunmen on an Indian diplomatic mission in the west of his war-torn country.
On the eve of talks between India's new Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, Karzai blamed the LT for Friday’s attack on the consulate in Herat, the latest in a string of assaults on Indian targets in Afghanistan.
“According to the information that we have available to us – one given to us by a Western intelligence agency – the perpetrators were of Lashkar-i-Taiba,” Karzai told India's Headlines Today television channel.
“The incident is condemned by the Afghan people as it is condemned by the people of India. This was a clear, clear attack by terrorists,” said Karzai who was in New Delhi to attend Modi's inauguration ceremony.
Also read: Narendra Modi sworn in as India’s 15th prime minister
Although there were no casualties among Indian staff, at least two policemen were wounded when the heavily-armed attackers stormed a house close to the consulate and opened fire on the building in a pre-dawn assault that was eventually repelled by security forces.
Lashkar-i-Taiba was also blamed for the 2008 attacks by Pakistani gunmen in Mumbai which killed 166 people and triggered a complete breakdown in ties between New Delhi and Islamabad.
Some analysts have interpreted Friday's attack as an attempt by anti-India elements in Pakistan to test the resolve of Modi, a hardline Hindu nationalist.
Related: Modi inauguration a ‘great opportunity’ for a new chapter: Sharif
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (89) Closed
May 26, 2014 10:57pm
So, convenient.
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May 26, 2014 11:04pm
Here we go again- Karzai doing what he is best at - blaming Pakistan and this time picking a time to most embarrass Pakistan. What an ungrateful man- he lived off Pakistan for years and millions of his countrymen have sheltered in Pakistan but there is no thanks!
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May 26, 2014 11:07pm
He trying to play in the hands of anti pak elements just to please them and bargain things. His end is not gud he shud be ignored
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May 26, 2014 11:07pm
Says the mayor of Kabul imposed upon the people of Afghanistan by the CIA.
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May 26, 2014 11:12pm
Dont you just love the timing? This Shareef is a buffoon if he fails to see India's ploy and double game.
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May 26, 2014 11:17pm
As AM Asghar Khan put it, Afghanistan thru all the Indo-Pak wars did not provide any help to India and stayed neutral. Why can't Pakistan do the same for Afghanistan? Why is "Islam" good only for Kabul, why not Pindi, Lahore and Karachi. When Afghanistan was a stable and prosperous country, so was Pakistan. Why can't Pindi figure this out?
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May 26, 2014 11:20pm
Here comes Karzai with his own little contribution to scupper any goodwill building up between India and Pak.
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May 26, 2014 11:21pm
I can see that in " Handshake"
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May 26, 2014 11:26pm
If no one died in the attack then it could be an inside job too. Modi and his 'dual personality disorder'partner, Hamid Karzai most likely planned this as Nawaz Sharif called Modi's bluff and went to India. Now Modi has doesn't have to make concession. Or it could be Karzai playing a wedge too between Indo-Pak rapprochement. Pakistan has nothing to gain from this attack.
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May 26, 2014 11:26pm
Why there is only one picture of Nawaz Sharif and three pictures of Karzai?
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May 26, 2014 11:26pm
A lot of harm has been done by these people to both India and Pakistan. It is time both our countries come together and talk about peace and work towards the growth of each others economy. Also, its high time people like Hafiz Saeed are reigned in. There were created to hurt India, but in turn they hurt Pakistan every day.
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May 26, 2014 11:30pm
What a timing by the "Puppet"!!!!
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May 26, 2014 11:38pm
There he goes again. The man does not know when to sing his favourite song or was it all preplanned to mar the occasion? So Bollywood!
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May 26, 2014 11:41pm
The mayor of Kabul is already trying to sow the seeds of mistrust.
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May 26, 2014 11:49pm
Sad to see Karzai can never become the president of a local village council ever. As a person like him if given the task to manage a country with many problems gifted for ever how he can manage;
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May 26, 2014 11:52pm
I seriously think Karazai is responsible because he wants refuge in India & the best way was to create & then calm by blaming Pakistan. Poor chap neither belongs to his kin nor to his masters, a homeless ex-president what a shame.
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May 26, 2014 11:53pm
@Gaurav
I feel this Indian Agent Kazai will get his comeuppance. His is the true ENEMY of Pakistan, even though your poor country has been looking after millions of his kind for decades.
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May 27, 2014 12:09am
@Gaurav LOL, very nice catch.
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May 27, 2014 12:13am
The joker is back one last time.
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May 27, 2014 12:15am
@Jungraiz Afhan Afghan people are the most ungrateful people in the history of the world, Allah punished us by making you our neighbours. At its peak 1 in 3 afghans was a refugee in Pakistan, even now there are millions eating our country dry. They have introduced gun culture, drug culture, crime levels unheard of before the afghan war. We grant them free transit trade worth Billions of dollars and yet again and again they have nothing but poison for our country. Allah will make all of you answer for your poison. I hope you get what you deserve and I will not forgive when he asks me as a Pakistani.
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May 27, 2014 12:16am
Was waiting when Karzai will blame Pakistan. Perfect timing.
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May 27, 2014 12:18am
Karzai is man with no value. He is a puppet of anti Pakistan forces.
He is a disgrace to Afghan culture
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May 27, 2014 12:18am
Shame on you razaai
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May 27, 2014 12:19am
Poodles are after all poodles they will sit on the warmest lap available at the time.
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May 27, 2014 12:23am
today's terrorism cases are so easily and conveniently solved ... an event occurs, and within a few hours we know who did it !
generally investigations into such incidents take months, and at time years ... (remember benazir's case, gen. zia's case etc. ) ...
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May 27, 2014 12:37am
Like it or not - even Karsai has more credibility than Pakistan - that says it all. Your long history of using "strategic assets" has consequences.
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May 27, 2014 12:38am
Are we so ignorant as to believe everything an "intelligence agency" says? Karzai need not conceal his links to the western intelligence agency that installed him as president, the same agency whom he claims to have provided him "intelligence" A great example of this is James Clapper of the CIA was caught lying to his own country, his own Congress, if anything is true, it is that "intelligence agencies" are liars. Afghans dont need any help in conducting terrorist attacks they are experts with decades of experience. Afghans without any help from outsiders were defacing and destroying Buddhist monuments at Bamian. Afghans have ample hostility to Buddhism and Hinduism and would attack the Indian consulate which they see as an agent of a religion they despise.
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May 27, 2014 12:47am
My awesome president Hamid Karzai, I salute you!!!
Awesome timing, just super awesome.
Take that Pakistan in front of 100 nations. Understand? You better understand!!!
Love you Mr.Karzai
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May 27, 2014 12:47am
Karzai once mentioned he will fight along side his Pakistani, Muslim brothers should India attack Pakistan ... A medical evaluation by the Americans of this man has concluded he is mentally un-fit. Lets ignore him. LeT and others have to get their act together too. Hope Pakistan was not involved in this attack.
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May 27, 2014 12:51am
This is a stab in the back of a brotherly Islamic country on a foreign soil from Karzai the accursed Munafiq.
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May 27, 2014 12:57am
@Agha Ata Who cares
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May 27, 2014 01:01am
Shame on you Karazai
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May 27, 2014 01:04am
@Jungraiz we never hurt Afghanistan ever, in fact we have helped her for 30 years, how many Afghan refugees did India host? Same can be said for Pakistan, when India and China went to war, Pakistan stayed out. Afghanistan hits back behind the back thanks to people like Karzai.
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May 27, 2014 01:06am
Karzai must be restricted entering Pakistan for life. It was Pakistan who sheltered him for decades when he ran away from Russian invasion not to mention millions of Afghan people poured in to Pakistan and still living there. Afghans are know selfish and nongratious people. I am wondering how long can he survive in Afghanistan on his own once the new government take over?
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May 27, 2014 01:09am
It would be wiser to think that "Non State Actors" should be put on tight lease, rather than think that every body who knows who is what should keep their mouth shut, for the sake of "friendship".
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May 27, 2014 01:09am
Instead of pointing fingers at each other, wouldn't it be better if the three leaders discussed strategies on how resolve this problem.... These Talibans are common enemies of each of these three countries and it should be joint effort to get rid of them!
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May 27, 2014 01:10am
"Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Monday accused Lashkar-i-Taiba (LT)
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May 27, 2014 01:11am
Karzai time is over, he will meet the fate of Najib Ullah
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May 27, 2014 01:15am
@Jungraiz Please read some history, Afghanistan was never a stable and (LOL) "Prosperous" nation.
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May 27, 2014 01:19am
Clearly, Pakistan plays with fire and it will cost the country dearly.
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May 27, 2014 01:21am
The sooner pakistanis accept the facts and take corrective actions the better.
Pls stop bloodshed of any innocent people and see how People like Modi open trading doors for pakistan.
Wish i could purchase pakistani goods in India just by a click of mouse.
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May 27, 2014 01:22am
@Jungraiz your name means War Monger!
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May 27, 2014 01:27am
@Jungraiz Pakistan cant stay neutral because the United States does not want it to be and because we get refugees whenever there is trouble in Afghanistan.
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May 27, 2014 01:32am
Karzai is our Muslim brother just like Saudis. We should tolerate our Muslim brothers even if they stab us, kill us with suicide bombs, destroy our beloved country and our beloved culture. No problem!!! We love you for destroying us!!!!
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May 27, 2014 01:36am
I don't trust Hamid Karzai. There is always someone or something whenever Pakistan and India have chance to move forward. Musharraf once offered to Karzai that we should build a fence along the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan and he refused saying it will be too much trouble for the people of Afghanistan. If that fence was built 10 years ago, Afghanistan would not have had this incident.
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May 27, 2014 01:42am
@Fahad
grapes is sour. or truth is bitter
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May 27, 2014 01:43am
he is 100% right!!!!!
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May 27, 2014 02:01am
Karzai will keep bad mouthing Pakistan as long as he can benefit from it, and has listeners. Pakistan needs to develop some guts and policy to shut him up instead of increasing aid
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May 27, 2014 02:08am
@Jungraiz Dear don't be too truthful !
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May 27, 2014 02:08am
@IKE Yet True
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May 27, 2014 02:09am
@Blitzer same as Pakistani PM and al the Presidents since 1947. Look who is talking
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May 27, 2014 02:11am
@Shahryar Shirazi Do you have a proof ! Pakistani are good at making factious friends and thinking that using the name of Islam you can win hearts and mind
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May 27, 2014 02:12am
@Ahmer where was the brother islamic country when ISI and PAK army was selling Afghanis embassy staff for 4000 dollars each - read Mullah Zoghaeef book " OH Paksitan"
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May 27, 2014 02:13am
@Riza Afghan I don't know if you are being sarcastic or not? But, take this, Karzai tenure is almost over and his statement was just to hurt pak-india relations and nothing else considering the puppet he is. Dawn please publish
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May 27, 2014 02:14am
At Least Pakistani PM has learnt how to tie a knot ! btw if he has to bee dressed what will be the traditional dress for him - Just wondering. Good on you Karzai since you are at least using the traditional dress ( also not putting artificial hairs :)
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May 27, 2014 02:27am
It seems Lashkar e taiba informed him before committing the attack.Joker
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May 27, 2014 02:29am
@Riza Afghan - Looks like you are proud of your Mayor. I wonder what country will give Karzai political asylum? I know it won't be USA, may be India.
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May 27, 2014 02:33am
Karzai as staunch Afghan nationalist is telling like it is. Is there any doubt in our thinkings to bleed India with thousand cuts through Jihadis? If it is not true then my fellow Pakistani friends take it easy on Karzai & just befriend India.
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May 27, 2014 02:48am
Reports are coming in that the attack was orchestrated by Afghan secret service...luckily Karzai has zero credibility inside and outside afghanistan... NS should take him to task for afghanistan's involvement in financing and supporting pakistani taliban groups...
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May 27, 2014 03:18am
Karzai is a true friend of india. we indians already know that this attack was carried out by LET operatives based in pakistan.
love live indo-afghan friendship!!
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May 27, 2014 03:27am
May The Almighty bless both India and Pakistan to be the brothers and sisters they were meant to be...
And may The Almighty thwart any bad intentions from those whose actions have shown that they are not interested in peace...
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May 27, 2014 03:47am
He is a muppet !!
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May 27, 2014 04:00am
Mr kerzai we Pakistanis are busy fighting against terrorism, we are not interested in attacking Indian Consulate , so please keep your blame with you , you do not have any proof for it you just like India and Pakistan to be in war with each other
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May 27, 2014 04:30am
Karzai has done the only thing Afghans are good at - stabbing their benefactors in the back. And he has chosen the time and place for maximum effect.
Why has NS not repudiated this patently false allegation so far? Is he that busy savoring the good food? What are some two dozen courtiers he has taken along, doing?
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May 27, 2014 04:57am
Hamid Karzai will be the spokesman for brother Modi .
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May 27, 2014 04:59am
@Riza Afghan
I must say that Afghans appear to be a very ungrateful lot. Millions of them parked themselves in Pakistan, including that ingrate mayor of Kabul,Karzai, and everything that happens in Afghanistan is because of Pakistan! Even now whenever there is an attempt by Pakistan to close the refugee camps, there is a hue and cry about how these people have nowhere to go. Please , all you Afghans, go back to your country, build walls along the border and leave Pakistan alone. I am sure then Afghanistan will become a prosperous, enlightened and peaceful country _ NOT!
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May 27, 2014 07:35am
If Karzai has a solid proof of LT involvement in attacking Indian Consulate or his forces have captured any attackers, he should share the information with Pakistani Authorities. The problem is 80% of rural areas of Afghanistan are controlled by Taliban and he has no idea who is attacking remote areas.Pakistan's border with Aghansiatn is very vague and porous. The road from Torkham to Kabul is shared by sheer mountains on both sides, a natural place for ambushes and is regularly attacked by Taliban. NATO military convoys are not allowed to stop unless there is an emergency. Pakistan tries to keep the border post open because its a vital trade route for Afghans and is always bustling with trucks carrying goods from Pakistan to Kabul. Torkham border crossing is a controlled chaos check post where 40,000 people cross the border everyday. Karzai and his generals have been accusing Pakistan for interfering in Afghanistan and blaming it for every attack in the country. Karzai government never provided any proof of Pakistani Involvement and has lost its credibility with US and Pakistan. Pakistan should not be concerned by his comments because he is on his way out and wait until the Afghan people elect a new leader.
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May 27, 2014 07:53am
This man is a Snake in the Grass.He should never be trusted.
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May 27, 2014 07:54am
@Jungraiz
Pindi couldn't figure it out if it him them in the head. Heads are buried under the sand, which clouds their judgement.
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May 27, 2014 08:02am
You could easily compare him to Mir Jafer
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May 27, 2014 08:28am
@Blitzer Totally irrelevant and unreasonable, not more than a blame and jealousy.
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May 27, 2014 08:47am
@ashfaq1
Please tell us where we can ALL read these reports that you say claim that this attack was orchestrated by Afghan Secret Service!!!
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May 27, 2014 09:27am
the world's largest refugees influx from Afghanistan is sheltered here in Pakistan and the government don't even say anything about it,,but this Karzai don't miss any chance to blame Pakistan, put his fictitious stories against Pakistan, What a man of digress for Afghans.
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May 27, 2014 09:54am
wow he found that out so quickly. Its a shame they dont find it quicker enough to stop the attack.
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May 27, 2014 10:01am
@Agha Ata That,s sarcastic. You made me laugh.
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May 27, 2014 10:51am
Let's stop blame game, unit & let's crush every single terrorist in the region.
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May 27, 2014 10:59am
Ignorance is the best practice for this guy. This guy cant walk out his palace in Afghanistan and blame other like Afghanistan is totally in his control and he build peace in every corner of Afghanistan. He don't even know whats the total geographical area comes under Afghanistan and talk about that Pakistan is in engaging creating terrorism. Such a looser..
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May 27, 2014 12:47pm
@Raja
Karzai has built an annex at the presidential palace in Kabul, he will live a stone's throw away from his successor.
He does not plan to seek asylum anywhere, nor will he be assassinated.
I am sure Pakistanis would like to see him dead, but wishful thinking does not translate into reality.
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May 27, 2014 04:42pm
@Harmony
There was never any goodwill in the first place.
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May 27, 2014 04:43pm
@matteroffact
Do you mean NS is a joker? Well, you may be right.
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May 27, 2014 04:45pm
@Nizamuddin Ahmad Aali
And who will be your spokesman? Hamid Gul?
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May 27, 2014 04:46pm
@Rizwan
Karzai is not alone. Every Afghan I met in the west, blames Pakistan for all their problems.
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May 27, 2014 05:45pm
We never know who really attacked Indian consulate, Lashkar-e-Taiba could be one of the suspects just because of their own publicized agenda. Having said that I fail to understand why many Pakistanis are offended by this statement. Is Laskhar-e-Taiba is part of Pakistan in any way? I hope not. Have Laskhar has built any schools or helped citizens of Pakistan in any way in return for using their land to plan attacks on foreign soils?
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May 27, 2014 09:02pm
@Riza Afghan The same agencies he is referring labelled his family members as drug smugglers. It is high time after having the full control of the country why he is not able to control heroine manufacturing and its exports to the whole world. Mr. Modi should convince him to do something on this very very important problem.
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May 27, 2014 11:03pm
@syed wasim haider
Pakistan exports terror and Afghanistan exports drugs, which alleviates the misery and grief of the victims of terrorism.
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May 27, 2014 11:20pm
@Mekal Faruki
Bamian Buddhas were destroyed by Pakistani and Arab Taliban not Afghans.
You have no idea what you are talking about.
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May 27, 2014 11:25pm
@FAM
Afghanistan is well on its way to become a progressive and prosperous country while Pakistan receives bailouts from IMF.
Stop hating and start appreciating!
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May 28, 2014 12:43pm
@Rizwan You mean Lashkar is not behind the attack. May be correct but why are you defending them ,do you know their plans and other details of their operations.After all why Pakistanis are defending them, is it a Pakistani outfit?I don't think so because Pakistan is not encouraging terrorism anywhere in the world. they are such a peaceful country with tolerant people
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May 28, 2014 06:34pm
Dear Pakistani's, if you're against these attacks, then why are you defending LeT as like your state institution?
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