This Article is From Oct 19, 2009

Iran accuses Pakistan of harbouring terror

Iran accuses Pakistan of harbouring terror

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Tehran, New Delhi: After India and Afghanistan, it is now Iran's turn to accuse Pakistan of harbouring perpetrators of the suicide bombing in its southeastern province in which over 40 people were killed. Will it put Pakistan under further international pressure?

There was a suicide attack on Iran's elite guard on Sunday. Before that the Kabul Indian embassy was bombed and last year Mumbai was the target of terrorists' attack - and all spell trouble for Pakistan.

Pakistan stands isolated with its three neighbours officially accusing it of sponsoring cross-border terrorism.

But it's the tone and tenor of Iran's allegation which has taken many by surprise. Iranian President Mehmoud Ahmadinejad in a terse message said that Pakistan should hand them over to Iran.

"I ask the Pakistani government not to delay handing the main elements of this crime to us anymore. The elements that have gone to Pakistan and we are aware that unfortunately some Pakistani agents cooperate with them. They should hand these elements to us. And of course, we consider it our right to demand the vengeance of this bloodshed and demand the criminals and enforce law about them based on justice," said President Mehmoud Ahmadinejad.

Although Pakistan has denied Iran's charges, sources in Indian establishment say Iran's new stand will bring further pressure on Islamabad already accused by Kabul and New Delhi of supporting terrorism.

Sistan-Baluchistan's minority Sunnis share ethnic affinity with Pakistan's Balochi people and accuse Tehran's Shia rulers of suppressing them. Tehran's open attack on Islamabad may have suddenly given India a new ally in its diplomatic fight against Pakistan.
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