Pathankot attack: Pakistan reiterates support to India on probe

The Kashmir-based United Jihad Council, with which JeM is not affiliated, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Sharif then called Prime Minister Modi and assured him of prompt action against the guilty.

It came about a week after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to Pakistan, the first by an Indian premier in 11 years.

The official’s comments provided an insight into Pakistan’s planned response to India, which had shared what was described as “leads” and “actionable intelligence”, with Pakistani authorities.

Without giving any deadline, Vikas Swarup, the Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, said talks would be held only if Pakistan made good on its promise to “promptly and decisively” act on the evidence provided to Islamabad on the Pathankot attacker.

“No terrorist organisation will be allowed to derail the dialogue process between Pakistan and India”, Asif was quoted as saying by the Radio Pakistan.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the prime minister also apprised Secretary Kerry about the progress Pakistan has made thus far on the “leads” provided by the Indian government.

Soon after the visit an Indian strategic air base was attacked in Pathankot, which was allegedly carried out by a terror outfit holding their base and operating from Pakistan.

Kerry, speaking to Sharif by telephone, said he hoped the attack would not derail the talks that he said were in the interests of regional security, according to a statement from the Pakistani prime minister’s office late yesterday.

“We can confirm Secretary Kerry spoke (over phone) today with Prime Minister Sharif”.

A meeting between the two countries’ foreign secretaries was scheduled for January 15 but it is unclear if it will go ahead.

Besides taking stock of the ground situation of the Pathankot airbase during his 90-minute-long stay, the PM also took detailed briefing from Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and NSG officials about the attack and counter-offensive launched by the security forces. Six terrorists, suspected to be from Pakistan, were killed during the gunfight that began on January 2.

In the meeting which was attended by the Pakistan’s top civil and military leadership, Islamabad reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The Pak Advisor in a written reply during the Question Hour, said that Foreign Secretaries would discuss the modalities of comprehensive bilateral dialogues and its timeframe during the meeting in Islamabad this month.