Pakistan regrets Indian remarks

Afzal Khan in Islamabad

Pakistan foreign office on Thursday termed as “unfortunate” the Indian accusations that the militants who attacked the Dinanagar police station in Gurdaspur hailed from Pakistan. It said countering terrorism could only be possible through mutual cooperation. “Pointing fingers before any investigation is not a healthy trend,” said foreign office spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah at a news briefing here.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha on Thursday that the gunmen who stormed a police station and killed seven persons at Dinanagar had come from Pakistan, according to a preliminary report.

Rajnath Singh said the global positioning system (GPS) devices belonging to the terrorists, which were recovered after they were shot dead, established that they crossed into India through the Ravi.

“The trio were in army fatigues. They carried China-made grenades and AK 47 rifles,” he added. The three heavily armed men were shot dead after 12-hour gunfight. Four police officers, including an SP, and three civilians were killed in the operation.

On India’s aggression at the LoC and working boundary, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson said Pakistan was capable of defending itself against any aggression. He said Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit postponed his visit to Chandigarh following the incident because the Indian Government did not permit his driver and two other officers to travel with him.