India on Friday late night asserted that Pakistan’s demand for an investigation into Pulwama attack is ‘preposterous’ when there is already a video of the suicide bomber declaring himself a member of the JeM.
“There are also other audio-visual and print material linking JeM to the terrorist attack,” official spokesman in the MEA Raveesh Kumar said in reply to a question on Pakistan Foreign Secretary’s briefing rejecting Pakistan’s involvement in the Pulwama attack.
“JeM has claimed responsibility for the attack. The organization and its leadership are located in Pakistan. LeT and other terror groups have welcomed the news of the attack. These groups are also based in Pakistan. Pakistan cannot claim that it is unaware of their presence and their activities,” he said.
He further maintained that Pakistan authorities “have not taken any action” against these groups despite international demands, especially against groups and individuals proscribed by the UN and other countries.
“The links to Pakistan are clear and evident for all to see. Its own Ministers have shared the same podium with UN proscribed terrorists,” he said.
The spokesman further said India has “not seen” any constructive approach from Pakistan on relations with India.
“What we have noticed however, are claims to offer dialogue on the one hand, while sponsoring and sheltering terrorists and terrorist organizations such as JeM on the other,” Mr Kumar said adding “We demand Pakistan take immediate and verifiable action against terrorists and terror groups operating from territories under its control to create a conducive atmosphere in the region free of terror”.
Earlier, Pak Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua has strongly rejected Indian allegations on Pulwama attack.
In a tweet, Foreign Office Spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said that while briefing the ambassadors of P-5 at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she noted a familiar Indian pattern of ‘immediate and reflexive assignment of blame’ on Pakistan without investigations.
Tehmina said Pakistan has pursued a constructive approach towards India. She also said that Pakistan’s offer of dialogue and Kartarpur initiative is a clear evidence of this.(UNI)
