Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday visited the base, at Pathankot in the northern state of Punjab, where he was briefed on how security forces had responded to end the attack.
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The Indian defense minister said earlier this week that security forces had managed to “neutralize all six attackers”. Latter on, on a sympathetic yet proud note PM talked to the family members of the security personnel who attained martyrdom, in the Pathankot attack.
So soon after the terror attack, tight security arrangements were in place for the Prime Minister’s visit in and around Pathankot.
He has conveyed to Mr Sharif that India wants to see urgent action taken against those who conceived and executed the attack.
Kerry said the USA hopes that talks between India and Pakistan will continue despite the fact that terrorists have tried to thwart it because “continuation of India-Pakistan talks is needed in the interest of regional stability and the leadership role by both the Prime Ministers is required to ensure continuous dialogue”, said the statement.
The violence has prompted concerns about a long-awaited meeting scheduled for next week in Islamabad between the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan.
Jaish-e-Mohammed staged a 2001 attack on the Indian parliament which brought the two countries to the brink of war.
BJP Leader Nalin Kohli also commented on the issue and said, “United States and a number of countries are now increasingly getting anxious about the situation related to terrorism”.
“The Pakistanis (had) said they’re going to investigate, so we look forward to seeing the results of that investigation”, he said. During the meeting, Sharif said that as Pakistan made a decision to boost co-operation with India as part of its counterterrorism efforts, the government would take necessary actions against terror outfits for carrying out anti-India activities. However, the militants attack on the Pathankot airbase has raised doubts if the talks would be held. Close to 20 personnel were injured too in the terror strike on the Indian military installation.
The evidence has been handed over by India to Pakistan’s Intelligence Bureau chief Aftab Sultan for further action.
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“As per the joint statement issued on December 9 during the visit of Indian external affairs minister to Pakistan, the Jammu and Kashmir dispute will be an important item under the comprehensive bilateral dialogue”, he said.
