ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday said it is working on “leads provided by the Indian government to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism” from the region.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said “in line with its commitment, Pakistan’s government is in touch with the Indian government” to address the problem.
The FO statement comes as sections of Indian media reported that New Delhi shared information with Islamabad on the Pathankot airbase attack.
Times of India reported that Indian National Security Advsier Ajit Doval provided “leads” on the Pathankot Air Force base terror attack to his Pakistani counterpart Naseer Khan Janjua and sought credible action on them.
A report on The Hindustan Times claims India shared with Pakistan the intercepts of calls made to Pakistan-based handlers by the terrorists who attacked the Pathankot airbase.
Condemning the attack on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, the FO spokesman said, “We understand the pain of many families who have lost their dear ones in this tragedy, as Pakistan itself is a major victim of terrorism.”
“We have extended our deepest condolences to the government and people of India,” he added.
He said the two countries share a common history and should remain committed to a sustained dialogue process.
“The challenge of terrorism calls for strengthening our resolve to a cooperative approach.”
Earlier on Monday, an alliance of Kashmiri militant groups claimed the attack on the Pathankot airbase.
The United Jihad Council (UJC) said in a statement that the attack was a message to India that Kashmiri fighters could strike at any sensitive installation across India.
The deadly attack on the Pathankot airbase started before dawn on Saturday and gunbattles between the militants and Indian forces continued into the third day as Indian forces conducted a search operation to clear the sprawling facility late Monday night.
At least seven Indian troops and five attackers have been killed in the siege.
The Pathankot airbase in Indian Punjab is a mere 50 km from the Pakistan border, and is a major forward operational airbase of the IAF.
