India to help Pakistan probe Pathankot terror attack; talks put off

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup on Thursday talking to media said, “Talks between India and Pakistan foreign secretaries have been rescheduled with the mutual consent of both countries. I am not aware of this”, the spokesperson said, adding that an official statement was issued yesterday after a high-level meeting and he had nothing to add to that.

There is speculation that the NSAs of the two countries may meet before the FS-level talks. He further said India welcomes Pakistan’s announcement of forming an investigation team over Pathankot attack and that Pakistan’s crackdown against the banned outfit Jaish Mohammad is praiseworthy.

It was also reported that Maulana Masood Azhar and his brother Mufti Abdul Rauf Ashghar were also taken into protective custody for interrogation in connection with Pathankot air base attack.

To a question, Qazi Khalilullah said the government is in contact with the Chinese government for implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project, and several meetings have already taken place on that count.

Pakistan has confirmed detention of the chief of a militant group blamed for deadly attack on an Indian airbase that has led to the postponement of Pakistan-India talks.

Foreign secretary-level talks had earlier been scheduled for Friday.

He told a news briefing that both sides were holding consultations to reschedule the talks.

“Based on the initial investigations in Pakistan, and the information provided, several individuals belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad, have been apprehended”, the prime minister’s office said. Meanwhile, Islamabad is said to be planning to set up a team for Pathankot attack’s probe in an attempt to pacify with India. Pakistan denies the charge and says it only provides moral and diplomatic support to the rebels.

“We note the apprehension of Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists”.

Officials wouldn’t comment on whether the SIT would arrive in India before the next date for the Foreign Secretary talks. India blames the group for the Pathankot incident.