Pulwama attack: Pak pins Pulwama blame on local conditions

Tribune News Service
New Delhi/Islamabad, March 27

Pakistan has pinned the blame for the Pulwama attack on local conditions in Kashmir in its preliminary findings conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad.

Pakistan has argued that it was impossible for its citizen to cross the heavily-militarised line of control and then effect an explosion in a place teeming with Indian security personnel.

However, Pakistan left the door open for further exchange of notes by observing that it sought further information  and evidence from India to take the process forward.

Pakistan said its findings are based on a one-sided probe after India handed over a paper to Pakistan alleging active across-the-border connivance in the Pulwama attack that brought both countries to the cusp of war.

The findings were shared with the Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria in Islamabad by Pakistan Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. Islamabad said Pakistan’s findings were conducted “with a high sense of responsibility and extended full cooperation in the interest of regional peace and security”.

The Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Foreign Secretary and the "preliminary findings" on the "Pulwama incident" were shared with him, the Foreign Office said.

The preliminary findings were shared with India after examining the Indian dossier on the Pulwama attack, it said in a statement.

"We have sought further information/evidence from India to take the process forward," the Foreign Office said

India has been mounting pressure on Pakistan to act on militant groups using its soil for operations.

Some 40 troopers of the Central Reserve Police Force were killed in a deadly suicide attack on February 14. The attack, claimed by the Jaish-e-Mohammed, escalated tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours and even led to the two countries having a military faceoff.

India has been accusing Pakistan of covertly supporting militant activities specifically aimed at targeting its neighbour, but Pakistan denies all such charges. In statements he issued days after the attack—and repeated several times later—Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, while denying India’s allegations, asked for more proof, and claimed the “war mongering” in India was primarily aimed at drumming up support for the upcoming general elections. 

India's mammoth seven-phase general elections begin in India on April 11. Votes will be counted on May 23. With agencies