With Pakistan link becoming clear in Pathankot attack, its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today called up his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and promised “prompt and decisive action” against the terrorists behind the strike about which “specific and actionable” information has been provided.
Sharif, while conveying sorrow over the loss of lives in the terror attack, told Modi that terrorists “always try to derail the process of peace” between the two countries and that his country will fully cooperate and investigate the “leads” and “information” provided by India, Radio Pakistan reported.
During the telephonic call, Modi pressed for urgent action against those responsible for the attack that began on Saturday last with six terrorists sneaking into the Air Base, leading to an encounter in which seven securitymen, including a Lt Colonel, were killed.
Modi received a call this afternoon from the Prime Minister of Pakistan regarding the terrorist attack on the Pathankot airbase, the PMO said.
The Prime Minister “strongly emphasized the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against the organizations and individuals responsible for and linked to the Pathankot terrorist attack,” the PMO said in a statement.
The statement said “specific and actionable information in this regard has been provided to Pakistan”.
Sharif “assured Prime Minister Modi that his government would take prompt and decisive action against the terrorists,” the PMO said.
Radio Pakistan reported that Sharif, who is in Sri Lanka on a three-day trip, told Modi that his country will fully cooperate with India in the probe.
“Pakistan will investigate in detail on the leads and information provided by the government of India,” Sharif was quoted by Radio Pakistan as saying.
It said the two Prime Ministers expressed resolve to fight terrorism through mutual cooperation.
There was, however, no formal statement by the government of Pakistan about the telephonic conversation.
The phone call from Sharif came as the Pakistan link to the attack became clear. NIA chief Sharad Kumar today said there was little doubt that the attackers were from Pakistan.
Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar added that there are indications that some of equipment used by terrorists were made in Pakistan.