New Delhi: India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Sunday dismissed claims by the Pakistani Army that blamed India for a recent suicide bombing in North Waziristan. The MEA issued a strong statement, rejecting Pakistan's accusations "with the contempt it deserves."

The incident, which occurred on Saturday, June 28, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's North Waziristan district, resulted in the deaths of at least thirteen security personnel. Initial reports from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's Office had confirmed eight fatalities. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) attributed the attack to "Fitna-al-Khawarij," a militant group. District Police Officer (DPO) Waqar Ahmed stated that the "suicide attack" was carried out using a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device, which also injured four civilians.

This recent bombing follows closely on the heels of another operation in South Waziristan just days prior, where two soldiers were killed and eleven terrorists were eliminated. ANI reports that no group has yet officially claimed responsibility for Saturday's suicide attack.

According to the Global Terrorism Index 2025, Pakistan currently ranks second globally, having experienced a 45 per cent surge in terrorism-related deaths over the past year, reaching a grim total of 1,081 fatalities. The Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) also noted a slight increase in attacks, recording 85 incidents in May compared to 81 in April.

With inputs from ANI