BJP National Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said former Pakistani diplomat Abdul Basit’s recent remarks against India showed that Pakistan “cannot survive without terrorism.”Basit, former Pakistani envoy to India, said in an interview that in a hypothetical scenario where the US tried to destroy Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, Islamabad would have to strike Mumbai or New Delhi.Reacting sharply to the remarks, BJP National Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha told IANS, “Abdul Basit’s threat that Delhi and Mumbai will be blown up with bombs from Pakistan shows that even today, Pakistan is rattled by strikes during Operation Sindoor. It has lost its mental balance.”Terming Pakistan a “terrorist state”, Sinha said, “It is a terrorist state and now we don’t even have to say it. Last year, (Pakistan Army Chief) Asim Munir had told the US that if needed, the oil refineries in Jamnagar would be blown up. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran vows tit-for-tat strike after Trump’s 48hr ultimatum, threatens to hit US-Israel energy facilityWatch: Missile strike rocks Israel’s ‘Little India’ as Iran attack injures over 40; videos show chaosOver 100 injured in Israel amid Iran’s missile attack; Netanyahu calls it ‘difficult evening in battle for future’Now, the country’s former envoy has used this kind of language. It shows that terrorism is ingrained in their nature. Pakistan can’t survive without terrorism.”Basit had said, “Suppose there is a scenario where the US views our nuclear programme in a negative light or tries to destroy our nuclear capability.It is unlikely, but I am talking about a worst-case scenario. Let’s imagine that the US tries to attack us. Even if the US is not within our nuclear range, what options do we have?”When asked if India would be involved, he replied, “India. We would not have to do anything else. Even if we do not have the range to target the US, we would have to strike India’s Mumbai and New Delhi without thinking. We have no other option, since the US is not within our range, then we would have no choice but to attack India. Then let’s see what happens. We do not want that to happen.”Basit’s comments came amid tensions in the Middle East over Iran’s nuclear programme, following joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on 28 February. The attacks triggered a wider conflict in the region, which has now entered its third week. Donald Trump has also warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face military action.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. 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NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Sunday said former Pakistani diplomat Abdul Basit’s recent remarks against India showed that Pakistan “cannot survive without terrorism.”Basit, former Pakistani envoy to India, said in an interview that in a hypothetical scenario where the US tried to destroy Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities, Islamabad would have to strike Mumbai or New Delhi.Reacting sharply to the remarks, BJP National Spokesperson Tuhin Sinha told IANS, “Abdul Basit’s threat that Delhi and Mumbai will be blown up with bombs from Pakistan shows that even today, Pakistan is rattled by strikes during Operation Sindoor. It has lost its mental balance.”Terming Pakistan a “terrorist state”, Sinha said, “It is a terrorist state and now we don’t even have to say it. Last year, (Pakistan Army Chief) Asim Munir had told the US that if needed, the oil refineries in Jamnagar would be blown up. Now, the country’s former envoy has used this kind of language. It shows that terrorism is ingrained in their nature. Pakistan can’t survive without terrorism.”Basit had said, “Suppose there is a scenario where the US views our nuclear programme in a negative light or tries to destroy our nuclear capability.It is unlikely, but I am talking about a worst-case scenario. Let’s imagine that the US tries to attack us. Even if the US is not within our nuclear range, what options do we have?”When asked if India would be involved, he replied, “India. We would not have to do anything else. Even if we do not have the range to target the US, we would have to strike India’s Mumbai and New Delhi without thinking. We have no other option, since the US is not within our range, then we would have no choice but to attack India. Then let’s see what happens. We do not want that to happen.”Basit’s comments came amid tensions in the Middle East over Iran’s nuclear programme, following joint US-Israeli strikes on Tehran on 28 February. The attacks triggered a wider conflict in the region, which has now entered its third week. Donald Trump has also warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face military action.
![NIA (Image credit: ANI) As part of an anti-India espionage network, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested a Kolkata-based man for allegedly passing confidential security-related information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs).Sharing details of the arrest on X, the official NIA India account said, “A Pak-backed spy, Zafar Riaz @ Rizvi of Kolkata, has been arrested in an espionage racket, in which he was engaged in clandestinely passing confidential security-related information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs) as part of an anti-India terror conspiracy.”According to the agency, the accused has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Official Secrets Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A].“A Look Out Circular was issued against him and proceedings were also under way to declare him a Proclaimed Offender (PO) when he was taken into custody,” the NIA said in its press release.The agency further revealed during its investigation that the accused was married to a Pakistani national and had been travelling frequently between India and Pakistan since 2005.“During one such visit, he was contacted and cultivated by PIOs to carry out espionage activities in India in lieu of financial inducements and the promise of Pakistani citizenship,” the release added.NIA reveals alleged espionage networkAccording to the NIA, the accused allegedly facilitated espionage and terror operatives by sharing One-Time Passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian telecom mobile numbers with a PIO to activate WhatsApp accounts.The agency claimed these accounts were later used by the alleged PIO to communicate secretly with Motiram Jat, another accused in the case, who was allegedly involved in passing sensitive security-related information.Investigation continuesThe NIA said investigations are underway to identify other individuals linked to the espionage racket and uncover the larger conspiracy behind the operation.The arrest comes amid wider crackdowns by the agency across states including West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to dismantle alleged cross-border intelligence networks.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Won’t Tolerate Any Form Of Nuclear Blackmail’: Rajnath Singh In South KoreaWho Is Ryan Williams? 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With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Won’t Tolerate Any Form Of Nuclear Blackmail’: Rajnath Singh In South KoreaWho Is Ryan Williams? 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