Naqvi sees India involved in assassination of Amir Tamba

LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated on Monday that the murder of Amir Sarfraz Tamba, who was allegedly involved in the murder of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in 2013, is suspected to have been assassinated by India.

He mentioned that India’s involvement in this incident follows a series of four other suspected murders. Naqvi emphasized that the investigation into Tamba’s shooting is ongoing, with initial indications pointing towards India, but conclusive statements will await the completion of the investigation.

The incident occurred on Sunday when Tamba was fatally shot by two motorcyclists in the Islampura police jurisdiction. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.

The police have initiated a case against the unidentified assailants based on a complaint lodged by Tamba’s brother, Junaid Sarfraz. Law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and is using CCTV footage to track down the perpetrators.

Amir Sarfraz Tamba and Mudasir Munir were accused of assaulting Sarabjit Singh with bricks and iron rods in Kot Lakhpat jail in April 2013. Sarabjit Singh had been sentenced to death for orchestrating bombings that killed 14 people in Lahore and Faisalabad in 1990. However, on December 14, 2018, a Lahore sessions court acquitted Tamba and Munir of Singh’s murder due to witnesses retracting their statements.

Tamba, aged 45 and unmarried, resided with his brothers in a house in Islampura and worked as a spice dealer.

In a televised interview on April 5, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh openly acknowledged India’s policy of conducting targeted killings in Pakistan, particularly against individuals involved in terrorist activities.

This admission followed reports in The Guardian revealing India’s operations targeting terrorists residing in foreign territories. The remarks by the Indian minister were met with strong criticism from Pakistan’s Foreign Office, denouncing them as hyper-nationalistic and aimed at electoral gains.

The Foreign Office reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace while emphasizing its ability to defend its sovereignty against any aggression, particularly in response to India’s actions.

They called upon the international community to hold India accountable for what Pakistan considers to be illegal and heinous actions.