The meeting included a discussion of the ammunition, found only in military establishments, used by the attackers, implying it was provided by the Pakistani army.
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“We are appalled by these attacks and stand with the Government of India in the fight against terrorism”, he added.
“We reserve the right to respond at a place and time of our choosing”.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh has called Pakistan a terrorist state and said it “should be identified and isolated as such”. “Kashmiris’ legitimate and just struggle for self-determination can not be suppressed by state repression”, Interior Minister Nisar Ali Khan told Pakistan-occupied Kashmir PM Raja Mohammad Farooq Haider Khan who called on him in Islamabad.
That did not placate New Delhi. Intelligence officers said this clearly shows that the Jaish were involved. “We know Pakistan is behind this”, he said.
Four terrorists involved in the terror strike were killed by the Army. “India must target Pakistan diplomatically and strategically to avenge the killings of our 18 courageous men”, said Singh.
No group has claimed responsibility for the strike.
In January, seven military personnel were killed when six terrorists attacked the Pathankot air base.
However, many other Indian officials have cautioned against any knee-jerk reaction. But Bedi pointed out that “military options are not only restricted, I think they are virtually non-existent”.
Madani’s remarks came after Pakistan Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz addressed a meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir.
Foreign minister Swaraj will also bring up the attack at United Nations general assembly later next week. All the four militants were also killed.
Indian-held Kashmir has been in the grip of widespread protests against Indian rule for more than two months, sparked by the killing of a popular rebel leader in a gun battle with soldiers on July 8.
Referring to various unilateral peace initiatives of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after coming to power in May 2014 including the invitation of his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif to his swearing in ceremony and Lahore visit last December, Mr Sewhani said Islamabad had interpreted these overtures as India’s weakness.
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Underlining the perception that it will not be business as usual with Pakistan after Sunday’s Uri terror attack, Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Ramrao Bhamre said India has “changed its policy” towards its western neighbour.
