New Delhi/Islamabad, June 29, 2025 — Diplomatic tensions flared between India and Pakistan over the weekend after Islamabad pointed fingers at New Delhi in the wake of a deadly suicide bombing in Pakistan’s troubled Waziristan region. The blast claimed the lives of at least 13 Pakistani soldiers and injured 24 others, shaking an already volatile border zone near Afghanistan.
India, responding with firm words, rejected the allegations outright, calling them “contemptible” and baseless.
“We have seen an official statement by the Pakistan Army seeking to blame India for the attack in Waziristan on June 28. We reject this statement with the contempt it deserves,” India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a sharply-worded statement late Saturday.
What Happened in Waziristan?
The attack occurred in the Mir Ali area of North Waziristan, a region long associated with militant activity. A suicide bomber rammed a vehicle packed with explosives into a Pakistani military convoy, resulting in a powerful blast that echoed through the borderlands.
The Pakistani military described the bombing as a “tragic and barbaric incident,” adding that three civilians—including two children and a woman—were also severely injured.
In the immediate aftermath, Pakistan’s army launched a sweeping counter-operation, reportedly killing 14 militants. However, no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the bombing, and the identities of those killed in the operation remain undisclosed.
Echoes of the TTP?
While no group has stepped forward to own the attack, the modus operandi closely resembles tactics often used by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—a banned militant group responsible for several high-profile attacks in the region.
Despite speculation, the TTP has not released a statement regarding Saturday’s bombing.
Pakistan’s Accusation and India’s Retort
In a statement that quickly stirred diplomatic outrage, the Pakistan Army accused India of “orchestrating” the attack to destabilize the region.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as a “cowardly act,” and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir issued a stern warning that any effort to destabilize Pakistan would be met with “swift and decisive retribution.”
India, however, hit back swiftly, framing Pakistan’s statement as a diversion from its own internal security failures.
“Instead of introspection and action against terrorism, Pakistan continues its policy of externalizing internal failures. The world is not blind to this pattern,” a senior Indian official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
A Region on Edge
The attack has reignited concerns about the fragile security architecture in North Waziristan, a region that has seen cycles of military operations, militant resurgence, and civilian displacement for over two decades.
Local residents described scenes of chaos following the bombing.
“There was a huge explosion. The ground shook, and we saw a column of smoke rising from the highway,” said a local shopkeeper. “The blast shattered windows in our homes. People ran out, terrified.”
Another resident claimed parts of rooftops caved in from the shockwaves of the explosion.
🇦🇫 Cross-Border Blame Game
Pakistan has frequently accused militant groups of using Afghan territory as a safe haven to launch attacks across the border. The Taliban-led Afghan government, however, strongly denies these claims.
“What happens in Pakistan is its internal matter,” said a spokesperson for the Afghan Foreign Ministry. “Afghanistan does not allow anyone to use its soil for attacks against others.”
What Comes Next?
As Pakistan steps up its counterinsurgency operations, questions remain over how the state will address the root causes of militancy in tribal areas like Waziristan. Meanwhile, India’s firm denial signals a continuing diplomatic standoff between the nuclear-armed neighbors.
Analysts warn that scapegoating external actors without evidence only escalates regional tensions and undermines counterterrorism efforts.
“Blaming India without credible proof does more harm than good. It delays real accountability and gives militant groups room to maneuver,” said Dr. Farzana Haque, a South Asia security expert based in Delhi.
The deadly attack in Waziristan has once again exposed the fault lines in Pakistan’s internal security and regional diplomacy. As both nations trade barbs, the victims of violence—soldiers, civilians, and families—are left grappling with grief and fear.
Until there is regional cooperation and concrete counterterrorism action, blasts like these threaten to remain a grim feature of life along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
