Pakistan committed to eliminate terrorism: PM

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has ordered an investigation into the leads provided by India on the Pathankot attack, according to a Pakistani daily.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited the Pathankot airbase for a first-hand assessment of the situation a week after terrorists attacked it.

“This investigation will be a major test of the prime minister to move Pakistan-India relationship forward and to break the cycle of off-again on-again talks between the two neighbours”, the source added.

The US said it encourages an “aggressive” approach to counter-terrorism operations by Pakistan and other regional powers, Kirby said, and expressed willingness to support such operations as required or deemed fit by those nations.

It is understood that the PM also met family members of security personnel who were killed in the terror strike during his 90-minute visit.

India had linked the foreign secretary level talks to Pakistan’s action against the militants.

“India (wants) arrests made, weapons found and links discovered and Pakistan wants more evidence in order to do those things”, it said.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has said communication between India and Pakistan is a “hopeful sign” that the two countries will be able to resolve their concerns bilaterally despite the terror attack in Pathankot.

They were in constant touch with the terrorists and coordinating their assault on the airbase from a control room set up at the outfit’s headquarters in Bahawalpur in Pakistan.

In his brief visit, the Prime Minister also undertook an aerial survey of the areas along the Indo-Pak border.

Earlier on Thursday, US State Department spokesman John Kirby had said it was up to the Pakistan to determine how long it would take to investigate the attack on the Pathankot air base following information provided by India.

“As far as we are concerned, the ball is now in Pakistan’s court”, spokesman Vikas Swarup told reporters when asked if the talks would be held. The visit by the Prime Minister comes after the Centre faced sharp criticism over its handling of the Pathankot terror attack.

In a written reply to a question in the National Assembly, Mr Aziz said the planned meeting will discuss the modalities and time schedule of the comprehensive bilateral dialogue, which would discuss all outstanding issues, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Seven Indian security personnel also lost their lives.