ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office of Pakistan on Saturday rejected criticism from India regarding Pakistan’s counterterror operations inside Afghanistan, calling the remarks “absurd and unwarranted”.

Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi made the remarks while responding to media queries about a statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs of India.

“The remarks by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding Pakistan’s legitimate, targeted and precise actions against terrorist hideouts and support bases inside Afghanistan are not only absurd and unwarranted but also shamefully hypocritical,” Andrabi said.

He added that India had long been involved in supporting militant groups operating from Afghan soil, including Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan.

According to the spokesperson, India’s reaction reflects frustration over the destruction of what he termed its “terrorist franchise” in Afghanistan.

Andrabi also accused India of human rights violations, saying it continued to illegally occupy Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir in violation of the United Nations Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions.

He further criticised India’s domestic and regional policies, alleging that extremist ideology had led to the marginalisation of minorities and the spread of Islamophobia.

The spokesperson also accused India of playing a destabilising role in Afghanistan and the wider region.

“With such credentials, India is in no position to make such statements and must instead refrain from stoking terrorism inside Pakistan from Afghan soil,” he said.

Reaffirming Islamabad’s position, Andrabi said Pakistan would continue to take appropriate actions in self-defence and to protect its citizens in accordance with international law, including the UN Charter.