Pakistan denies Indian media allegations

ISLAMABAD, Jan 22: Pakistan on Thursday denied charges of complicity in a plot to blow up the US Embassy and two consular offices in India, saying that the allegations are the "most sinister fabrications designed solely to malign" the country, reports AP.

Indian newspapers said Wednesday that police arrested four people, including a suspected Pakistani spy, who allegedly planned the bombing plot.

The accused have been linked to Osama Bin Laden - a Saudi dissident who is being accused by the United States of running a terrorist network and bombing its embassies in Africa in August.

In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Office charged that the news reports "aimed at undermining our relations with the United States."

The Indian government never officially raised such allegations with Pakistan, he said.

The ringleader of the bombing plot was identified as Sayed Abu Nasir, 27, said to be a Bangladeshi working for Pakistan's spy agency, an Indian police official was quoted by the Indian Express as saying.

Pakistani information minister Mushahid Hussain said India wants to divert the world's attention from religious violence in India and hide its "incompetence" in checking attacks on Christians by the Hindu militants.

"Instead of accusing Pakistan, India should concentrate on its law and order situation," he told reporters.

India regularly accuses Pakistan of fomenting violence through its spy agencies. Pakistan denies the charges.