New Delhi: Pakistan has done it again. It has proved once more that this country is least serious about it's own home-grown terrorism. To prove it, Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Saturday gave a very loose statement over the terror attack in J&K's Pampore area in which eight CRPF jawans were martyred today.
Shortly after the operation - between Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Pakistani Lashkar-e-Toiba operatives - ended today evening, Basit shrugged off the scribe's questions over the issue, asking them to rather focus on the Iftar party.
“It`s the month of Ramzaan, let`s focus on this Iftar party. The issue of Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed issue between India and Pakistan. It`s an issue which needs to be solved. We hope we will sit and discuss over the issue and find a solution. I have already said what I think about the relationship between India and Pakistan. Today we are celebrating Iftar. Let's have Iftar party and enjoy ourselves,” Basit said media-persons here.
Delhi: Iftar party organised at Pak High Commission, Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit also present pic.twitter.com/D5qwrghc1H
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 25, 2016
Basit further said, "We want peace in the entire world. Our foreign policy towards India is based on this essence and spirit."
"We want peace between our 2 countries (India-Pak). Our 2 countries must work together to have tension-free & cooperative relationship. We must solve all our problems & settle all our disputes, including J&K, peacefully to usher in era of stability in South Asia," he added.
Abdul Basit then coolly walked inside the Pakistan High Commission here where the Iftar party was going on.
Delhi: Visuals of Iftar party organised at Pak High Commission, Pak High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit present pic.twitter.com/4xdvtP3K23
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 25, 2016
Watch the video here:
#WATCH: Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit on Pampore (Jammu & Kashmir) terrorist attack.https://t.co/jkzSn90gXs
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 25, 2016
In the fierce gun-battle that took place today evening, seven CRPF personnel were also injured after militants attacked a paramilitary convoy in Frestbal area of Pampore, in which eight jawans succumbed to their injuries.
The entire area has been cordoned off as security forces have launched a search operation and are combing the vicinity.
"Our jawans were returning after practicing in the firing range when the attack happened. Our men returned fire with great bravery and it was during that time that both the militants were neutralised. As of now we have lost eight boys and around 27 are injured," CRPF commandant Rajesh Yadav told the media here.
"Two LeT terrorists travelling in a private car came from the opposite direction and got down in front of the CRPF bus, resorted to indiscriminate firing and later tried to enter the bus," a CRPF spokesman said, adding the CRPF's road opening party (ROP) "swiftly swung into action and gunned down both the terrorists".
Yadav further added that all the injured and the bodies of the deceased have been moved to be 92 Base Hospital.
Traffic on the busy highway came to halt immediately after the attack as tension gripped the nearby Pampore town.
Lashkar-e-Toiba spokeman Abdullah Gaznavi claimed his outfit's responsibility for the attack through a statement mailed to some local news agencies in Srinagar.
Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter to express his grief over the death of the CRPF personnel in today's Kashmir attack.
"I salute the courage of the CRPF personnel martyred today in J&K. They served the nation with utmost dedication. Pained by their demise," PM Modi tweeted.
I salute the courage of the CRPF personnel martyred today in J&K. They served the nation with utmost dedication. Pained by their demise.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2016
My thoughts are with the families of those martyred today. May those injured recover soon.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2016
Home Minister Rajnath Singh earlier today offered his condolences to the kin of the martyred.
"Deeply anguished to learn of the death of CRPF personnel in an ambush at Pampore in Jammu and Kashmir today. My heart goes out to the families of the CRPF men who lost their lives in Pampore. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Rajnath said in a series of tweets.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti also expressed her solidarity with the bereaved families of the slain CRPF personnel.
"The only purpose of such blood-spattered acts of violence is to add to the tragedies and miseries of the people and subvert the Government`s efforts aimed at bringing permanent peace and prosperity to Jammu and Kashmir," the Chief Minister said in a statement.
