Pakistan has strongly rejected India’s objections to its recent military operation against militant hideouts inside Afghanistan, describing New Delhi’s criticism as baseless and misleading.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed remarks made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs on June 29, calling them “a pack of lies.”

According to the Foreign Office, Pakistan’s operation against terrorist networks operating inside Afghanistan was legitimate, proportionate and necessary for the country’s self-defence.

“Pakistan rejects the unfounded statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs regarding Pakistan’s legitimate and targeted operation against terrorist networks in Afghanistan,” Andrabi said in an official statement.

He said it was “ridiculous and absurd” for a country with a history of interfering in the affairs of its neighbours and undermining their sovereignty, in violation of international law and the United Nations Charter, to level such accusations against Pakistan.

The spokesperson said India continued to suppress the aspirations of the people of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, saying New Delhi continued to deny Kashmiris their right to self-determination in violation of UN resolutions.

Andrabi said that India had been financing and supporting militant groups operating from Afghan territory to carry out activities against Pakistan in violation of United Nations Security Council sanctions.

He said India had played a role in destabilising the wider region and that its “false allegations and provocative rhetoric” against Pakistan should not be taken seriously.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s position, Andrabi said the country would continue to take all necessary and appropriate measures, in accordance with international law, to protect the lives and property of its citizens.