After Kerry calls up Sharif, Pak. promises quick action

But the editorial noted that Islamabad was seeking more evidence than what had been provided by New Delhi on the so-called Pakistani links to the January 2 terror attack on the IAF base in Pathankot.

Following the incident, the United Jihad Council, a conglomerate of pro-Pakistan groups and based in Pakistan-Administrated Kashmir, claimed responsibility for the attack. Indian law enforcement agencies have detained the family of Salwinder Singh, the superintendent of police, whose vehicle was hijacked by the attackers and then drove it to the heavily guarded air base.

“Aziz’s confidence about “Pak-India talks intact” can be interpreted that Pakistan is serious about acting on the leads provided by India and may well lay hands on those suspected of being involved in the attack before January 15″, a government official told PTI.

Sources said Premier Nawaz also apprised Secretary Kerry that the national security advisers of Pakistan and India were in contact with each other.

However, a few of the quarters in Pakistan, expressed fears that, the foreign secretary-level talks slated in the next week, might be put off for a few days by the Indian side, if it was not satisfied with the outcome of the investigation leads provided to Islamabad through diplomatic channels.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held another round of talk earlier today with Pakistani Army officials and security establishment in his nation.

“In line with Pakistan’s commitment to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism, the meeting reviewed the progress made on the information provided by the Government of India. “At this juncture, this attack might be launched intentionally to disrupt this momentum”, said Hua, adding that China hoped “India and Pakistan work together to maintain positive momentum”.

So soon after the terror attack, tight security arrangements were in place for the Prime Minister’s visit in and around Pathankot.

India’s foreign ministry has said that Islamabad has been given actionable intelligence that those responsible for the planning and execution of the attack had come from Pakistan.

Jaish-e-Mohammed staged a 2001 attack on the Indian parliament which brought the two countries to the brink of war.

Kerry’s call to Sharif came amid Indian intelligence reports suggesting that Pakistan-based terror outfits have carried out the attack on the Pathankot air base. Indian authorities say that they have shared information, including phone numbers, with Pakistani officials to help them locate the suspects.

The Pathankot attack occurred just as relations between India and Pakistan looked set to thaw, particularly after Mr Modi made a surprise visit to Lahore on Christmas Day for a meeting with Mr Sharif.