Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi indicated on Monday that Indian involvement is suspected in the recent murder of Amir Sarfraz Tamba, a Pakistani national previously acquitted in the death of Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh.

According to Kashmir Media Service, Naqvi suggested that India’s hand might also be evident in four similar murder cases preceding Tamba’s death. During a media briefing at the Federal Investigation Agency office in Lahore, he stated, “Police are investigating the firing on Amir Tamba and so far, they suspect India is behind it. India was involved in four other murder incidents on a similar pattern as well. However, it will not be suitable to say anything until the investigation is complete.”

The assassination occurred on Sunday when Tamba was shot by two motorcycle riders in the jurisdiction of Islampura police station. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries. In response, police have launched a manhunt for the unidentified assailants, utilizing CCTV footage to aid their search, and a case has been registered based on a complaint from Tamba’s brother, Junaid Sarfraz.

In 2013, Tamba was accused of fatally assaulting Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh in Kot Lakhpat jail, where Singh was serving a death sentence for terrorism. Tamba and co-accused Mudasir Munir were later acquitted in 2018 after witnesses withdrew their statements. Tamba, who was 45 and a spice dealer, lived with his brothers in Islampura.

Further raising tensions, Naqvi referenced an April 5 interview in which Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh acknowledged the Indian government’s policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi of orchestrating killings in Pakistan, including cross-border operations to target individuals accused of terrorism.