New Delhi: India on Thursday warned Pakistan that the killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistan troops at the Line of Control (LoC) earlier this week will have consequences on relations between the two countries.
The latest attack in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir again threatens the continuation of the peace talks between India and Pakistan that had resumed in 2011.
It is now clear that the specialist troops of Pakistan army were involved in this attack when a group from pak-adm-Kashmir side crossed the LoC and killed our brave jawans, defence minister A.K. Antony said in the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
The government initially didnt blame Islamabad directly for the ambush, with Antony saying in Parliament on Wednesday that the attack had been carried out by terrorists dressed in Pakistan army uniforms, triggering protests by opposition political parties.
Antony, who came under attack from the opposition for not naming Pakistan for the killing in his earlier statement on Tuesday, said it was governments obligation to report the facts it knew at that point of time. My statement was based on the available information.
The defence minister cautioned the neighbouring country.
Our restraint should not be taken for granted, nor should the capacity of our armed forces and resolve of the government to uphold the sanctity of the LoC (line of control) ever be doubted, he said.
Welcoming the change of stand by the government, leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj said the opposition will stand by the government. We were not indulging in politics. I am glad that the defence minister corrected his statement. He said Pakistan should not take us lightly. We are with you and we want Pakistan to be warned, Swaraj said.
Those in Pakistan who are responsible for this tragedy and the brutal killing of two soldiers earlier this year should not go unpunished, Antony said. Pakistan should also show determined action to dismantle the terrorist networks, organizations and infrastructure and show tangible movement on bringing those responsible for the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008 to justify quickly, he said in the statement.
India warns Pakistan over killing of Indian soldiers - Livemint