The ministry of external affairs on Saturday expressed scepticism about Pakistan's purported crackdown on terrorist groups in the country.
Raveesh Kumar, MEA spokesperson, said Pakistan's arrests and detention of extremist leaders followed the “same script” used in the aftermath of previous terror incidents in India such as the attack on Parliament (2001), Mumbai terror attacks (2008) and the Pathankot air base attack (2016). Kumar said Pakistan's action against terrorists was “only on paper” and noted the country's military spokesperson had denied the presence of Jaish-e-Mohammed on its territory even as its foreign minister conceded the group's leader was present there.
Kumar said Pakistan was yet to take credible action against terrorist groups and referred to recent statements from former Pakistan dictator Pervez Musharraf on the Jaish-e-Mohammed operating in the country. Kumar said, “If Pakistan claims to be naya (new) Pakistan with naya soch, then we want to see naya action.”
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Kumar reiterated that India had not “escalated” tensions with Pakistan in the wake of the Indian Air Force strike on Balakot and called the operation a “non-military” mission. Kumar added India would act with “maturity” and “determination” in confronting terrorism.
Kumar also questioned Pakistan on why it had denied the use of the F-16 fighter in the skirmish with India and noted New Delhi had provided evidence of the use of the weaponry to the US.
