PM Nawaz calls Modi, assures support in Pathankot attack probe: Indian media
Nawaz Sharif telephoned Modi to discuss Pathankot attack.
(Web Desk / AFP) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif telephoned his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi today (Tuesday), assuring him of his support in the investigation of attack on Indian Air Force base in Pathankot area, the Indian media reported.
Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and told Modi that Pakistan will stand by India in fighting terror.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan categorically condemned the unfortunate incident.
"We understand the pain of many families who have lost their dear ones in this tragedy, as Pakistan itself is a major victim of terrorism," the Foreign Office stated.
"We have extended our deepest condolences to the Government and people of India."
The FO further said: "In line with Pakistan‘s commitment to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism, the Government is in touch with the Indian government and is working on the leads provided by it."
"Living in the same region and with a common history, the two countries should remain committed to a sustained dialogue process. The challenge of terrorism calls for strengthening our resolve to a cooperative approach," the ministry said.
READ: Pathankot attack: Pakistan working on leads provided by India, says FO
The air force base is on the highway that connects Indian Occupied Kashmir state with the rest of the country. It is also very close to India’s border with Pakistan.
The clearance operation at the Pathankot Air Force base ended on Tuesday, four days after terrorists stormed the station, killing six Indian security officers.
Another officer, National Security Guard Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Kumar, was killed in a grenade explosion during combing operations. All six attackers were neutralised.
The violence follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise Dec. 25 visit to Pakistan, where he met his counterpart, Nawaz Sharif. The two also held an unscheduled meeting at the Paris climate change talks last month.
Ahead of Modi‘s visit to Pakistan, the national security advisers of both countries met in Thailand. The foreign secretaries of both nations are to meet in Islamabad later this month.
The responses to the attacks from both countries have been muted so far, with neither New Delhi nor Islamabad giving any indication that the planned talks are under any threat.
In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. was encouraged that the government of Pakistan condemned the attack and has said it would not discriminate between groups in its counter-terrorism operations.
"We’ve been clear with the highest levels of the government of Pakistan, that it must continue to target all militant groups," Kirby told reporters on Monday.
All political parties in India have condemned the attack, but there were no demands that the government call off the talks with Pakistan. In the past, when it was in opposition, Modi’s right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party was a vocal critic of engagement with Pakistan.
