Bangladesh has also backed India in the aftermath of the Uri attack.
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In a blunt message, India today asked Pakistan to stop supporting terrorism and vacate illegal occupation of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir as it highlighted human rights violations in Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh and persecution of minorities including Hindus. “This indicates a desperate attempt to foment unrest in Kashmir”, Singh said.
Senior Indian politicians, including Home Minister Rajnath Singh who called Pakistan “a terrorist state”, were quick to warn of action against Islamabad, putting pressure on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a tough line.
The assertion by Modi yesterday that those behind the Uri attack will not go unpunished had triggered considerable speculation about the options that India could exercise in the current situation.
He added, “We salute all those martyred in Uri”.
The presence of the Foreign Secretary was explained in the context of the move by India to launch a diplomatic offensive to isolate Pakistan at global fora, starting with the upcoming UN General Assembly. “The fire was returned”, the source said.
The meeting also discussed Modi’s proposed visit to Pakistan in November for a Saarc summit.
Separately, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and the top security brass met to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the border areas.
Patrols on the borders were increased and frontier districts in various states were put on a high alert.
Pakistan accused India of apportioning blame before it had properly investigated.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday sought help from the USA to resolve tensions between India and Pakistan, as he raised the issue of alleged human rights violations and killings in Kashmir.
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Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif told a Corps Commanders conference in Rawalpindi his forces were “fully prepared to respond to an entire spectrum of direct and indirect threat”. “We, once again, ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of India and refrain from meddling in our internal affairs in any manner. We will take our steps carefully”, Rijiju said.
