Kerry also expressed concern over the violence in Kashmir particularly the terror attack on an Army base in Uri.
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A review meeting on Tuesday convened by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in the wake of Uri terror attack is learnt to have discussed expected efforts by Pakistan to internationalise the Kashmir problem using Kashmiri diaspora.
Tension have heightened between India and Pakistan in the wake of the attack by heavily-armed militants, suspected to be from Pakistan, on an army base in Uri in which 18 jawans died.
Colonel Rajesh Kalia said there had been a “ceasefire violation” near Uri, where Sunday’s attack took place, but gave no further details. “The secretary commended the prime minister for restoring macroeconomic stability to Pakistan over the last three years and expressed appreciation for Pakistan’s cooperation on climate change priorities”, John Kirby said.
The infiltration attempts came as India and Pakistan are locked in a diplomatic war of words over a deadly unrest in the Kashmir Valley and soon after the Sunday attack on military base close to the de facto border that divides the state between the two neighbours.
President Erdogan said that Turkey and Pakistan have always been and will continue to remain strong and steadfast partners in bringing peace and progress in their respective regions as well as in the Muslim world.
According to a readout of his meeting with Kerry by the Pakistan mission, Sharif told him that more than 107 people have been “assassinated” in Kashmir, thousands injured and “worst human rights violations are being committed at the state level”.
However, Sharif’s repeated calls to the UN to help resolve the Kashmir dispute appeared to be gaining no traction as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon made no reference to Kashmir in his final speech to the UNGA as the UN chief.
Sharif is in NY attending the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly session.
Mr Sharif addressed the UN General Assembly’s high-level summit on refugees and migrants on Monday and address the General Debate on September 21.
National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) engineers have been tasked with attempting to recover data from the Garmin eTrex GPS set, one of two which the terrorists are believed to have used to guide them along their hike, cutting across the Haji Pir pass before reaching Uri.
After a more measured response of late to Pakistan provocations, analysts said Modi must retaliate in order to avoid a domestic backlash. Noting Modi’s rhetoric on Pakistan, Sinha said: “He has to respond”.
The terrorist group was engaged in encounter by the 10 Battalion of the Dogra regiment of the Indian Army and a local army unit.
Meanwhile, Indian media reports that New Delhi has chose to up the ante against Pakistan on the global stage – much like it did after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
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Any military action against Pakistan would be carefully weighed on its merits and against less risky alternatives such as diplomatic pressure, economic measures or covert action.
