Giving details about the attack, Singh said, preliminary analyses of Global Positioning System data indicates that the terrorists had infiltrated from Pakistan through the area near Tash in Gurdaspur district where the Ravi river enters Pakistan..
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Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah told a media briefing that the accusations were “unfortunate” and stressed that cooperation between the two countries was needed to counter terrorism. “In the Gurdaspur incident, blames were apportioned to Pakistan in the Indian media, even when the encounter with terrorists was still going on”, he said.
However, as the unrelenting Congress members continued to shout slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh said, “I take this opportunity to assure the House that the government is firmly to root out militancy from India“. “We want peace with Pakistan, but not at the cost of national honour”, said Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh who is expected to make a statement in Parliament on Tuesday. “Blame game and finger-pointing would be unhelpful”, he said.
The spokesman did not comment on the death of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Omar but did say Pakistan was investigating reports of his death.
Khalilullah did not specify the date nor the venue of the talks.
Pakistan was the expected venue for the meeting, due to take place on Friday, where Afghan officials had pledged to press the insurgents for a ceasefire. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Foreign Secretary, accompanied the adviser during the visit and also signed the condolence book. “Pakistani troops befittingly responded to Indian unprovoked shelling and firing”, an ISPR statement said. What appeared to be improvised explosive devices on railway tracks, were also shown.
“We have noted with concern a continuing tendency of India to cast blame on Pakistan for any terrorist incident in its territory”.
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“Pakistan remains committed to taking all measures that seek to normalize relations based on mutual respect and a firm commitment to address all outstanding issues through a sustained dialogue process”, he said.
