Pathankot attack: Nawaz Sharif calls up Narendra Modi; promises prompt, decisive action

NEW DELHI: With Pakistan link to Pathankot terror attack becoming clear, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday telephoned his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and assured "prompt and decisive action" against the terrorists. New Delhi has provided "specific and actionable" information to Islamabad. During the telephonic conversation, Modi strongly pressed for urgent steps against those responsible for the attack.

The attack, along with the strike against the Indian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif, has put a question mark on the foreign secretary-level talks scheduled in Islamabad on January 14-15. Official sources pointed out that the Modi government wanted to see some progress from the Pakistani side ahead of the meeting. New Delhi is waiting for Sharif’s feedback on the progress of the investigation after he returns to Islamabad and holds meeting with Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif.

Modi received a call on Tuesday afternoon from Sharif from Colombo regarding the terrorist attack, the PMO said in a statement. Sharif is currently on a bilateral visit to Sri Lanka.

"The prime minister strongly emphasised the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against the organisations and individuals responsible for and linked to the Pathankot terrorist attack," the PMO said in a statement.

The statement said "specific and actionable information in this regard has been provided to Pakistan". Sharif "assured Prime Minister Modi that his government would take prompt and decisive action against the terrorists", as per the PMO statement.

The US also stepped up pressure on Pakistan, asking Islamabad to live up to its pledge that it will not "discriminate" among terror groups. State department spokesman John Kirby said the US had for a long time talked about the continued safe haven issues between Afghanistan and Pakistan and certainly between India and Pakistan.