Some good steps
While Pakistan and Afghanistan have been dealing with terrorists attacks for the last many years, the attack in Pathankot has once again exposed the vulnerability of India. There is a dire need, therefore, on the part of the three countries to work together to eradicate the menace from the region. A meeting of the topmost civil and military leaders was held yesterday in Islamabad to review the response to national and regional security issues. The items on the agenda included action against the perpetrators of Pathankot attack, relations with Afghanistan, conduct of the operation Zarb-e-Azb, and implementation of National Action Plan (NAP). That this was the fourth high level meeting in a week underlines that the government is pursuing the current security threats with a sense of urgency never seen before. What is more, there is a consensus among the civil and military leadership that it is not possible to deal with terrorism in isolation.
The high level meeting has expressed national resolve not to allow anyone to use Pakistan’s territory as a staging ground to export terrorism to any country. Investigation conducted by Pakistan has linked JeM with Pathankot attack, leading to the arrests of the network’s leaders. JeMs offices all over the country are being searched and sealed. It has also been decided to send a special investigation team to Pathankot in consultation with India to gather information required to carry forward the process of cooperation with the neighbouring country. Mixed signals meanwhile continue to emerge from India. While Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar talked of revenge a couple of days back, Home Minister Rajnath Singh issued a more level headed statement.
What is needed on the part of New Delhi is to fully cooperate with Pakistan in investigations. India also needs to facilitate holding the Foreign Secretary level talks on time instead of resorting to delaying tactics. This is required to create confidence in New Delhi’s seriousness in promoting friendly relations with Pakistan by resolving mutual disputes.