Modi seeks 'strong steps' against terrorists, Sharif vows action

As the Pakistan link to Pathankot attack became clear, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday called up his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and vowed 'prompt and decisive action' against the terrorists behind the strike about which 'specific and actionable' information has been provided.

During the telephonic conversation, Modi strongly pressed for urgent steps against those responsible for the attack that began on Saturday last week with six terrorists sneaking into the air base and leading to an encounter in which seven security personnel, including a Lieutenant Colonel, were killed.

Modi received a call on Tuesday afternoon from the prime minister of Pakistan regarding the terrorist attack on the Pathankot airbase, the Prime Minister’s Office said.

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,' the PMO said.

Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar added that there are indications that some of equipment used by terrorists were made in Pakistan.

The information and leads, like the Pakistani numbers which the attackers had called and their intercepts, are understood to have been passed on by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.

The attackers had reportedly made several calls to Pakistan, some of them brief and some long.

Pakistan's foreign ministry on Monday night said it is working on the 'leads' provided by India on the terror attack.

Extending Pakistan's deepest condolences to the government and people of India on the 'unfortunate terrorist incident' in Pathankot, a statement by the spokesperson of the ministry of foreign affairs said, "We understand the pain of many families who have lost their dear ones in this tragedy, as Pakistan itself is a major victim of terrorism."

Noting that the terror attack has been categorically condemned by Pakistan, the spokesperson said, "In line with Pakistan's commitment to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism, the government is in touch with the Indian government and is working on the leads provided by it."

The statement, however, did not give details of the 'leads' provided by India.

It also said that India and Pakistan should remain 'committed' to a sustained dialogue process.

"Living in the same region and with a common history, the two countries should remain committed to a sustained dialogue process," it said, adding, "The challenge of terrorism calls for strengthening our resolve to a cooperative approach."