Battle casualty status for soldiers killed in Pathankot terror attack

Modi strongly emphasized the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against the organisations and individuals responsible for the attack, said diplomatic sources.

Pakistan’s powerful intelligence agency ISI is behind the attack on Pathankot air base in Punjab using a terrorist group it created 15 years ago, a former top White House official has said.

Sharif assured Modi of “prompt and decisive action against the terrorists”, the Indian government said in a separate statement on Tuesday.

The three are scheduled to visit the strategic base, situated about 35 km from the border with Pakistan, in the afternoon to get a firsthand assessment of the ground situation after six terrorists were killed by security forces. While Islamabad issued a statement immediately after the attack on January 2, Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday to condemn the strike.

Foreign Office has called in an urgent meeting on Tuesday to discuss the fate of Foreign Secretaries meeting of Pakistan and India in the wake of Pathankot attack on Indian Airbase.

“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accounts for nothing in Pakistan, his writ doesn’t run beyond Raiwind”, said Tewari. “The combing operations may be over by tomorrow”, he said in reply to questions.

The phone call from Sharif came as the Pakistan link to the attack became clear.

However, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup refrained from naming any group, while confirming that “actionable intelligence” had been provided to Pakistan. The minister said the NIA had started investigation into the attack.

Hopes for a thaw in relations were raised after Indian Premier Narendra Modi paid an unexpected visit to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. “The Immediate issue is Pakistan’s response”, he said. He noted that the United States put JeM on the terrorist sanctions list years ago – but it continues to coddle the Pakistani army.

Officials said they had received intelligence about a possible attack and had beefed up security at the air field and repulsed the attackers before they reached any sensitive areas.