Security on high alert after threats by Indian defence minister

Pakistan has put its security agencies on ‘high alert’ after open threats were hurled at the country last week by Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parikar in wake of the Pathankot attack, Pakistan Today has learnt reliably.

“Intelligence agencies, law enforcers and all related forces have been put on high-alert following the open threats hurled by Parikar. Borders have been sealed and we are ready to thwart any attempt by terrorists,” a well-placed official in the government told this scribe on the condition of anonymity.

The source said that the recent visit by Indian Prime Minister Modi to Pakistan was a welcome sign, but Pakistan cannot remain complacent in the face of open threats.

“We know the capabilities and intent of our enemy, so the agencies have been put on a high alert. No carelessness will be tolerated,” the official added.

Soon after the Pathankot attack, India had named banned outfit Jaish-e-Muhammad as the culprit, and had passed onto Pakistan evidence about its involvement in the attack.

Pakistan took swift action soon afterwards and JeM Chief Masood Azhar along with his brother Abdul Rauf and thirteen other comrades were arrested, and are being quizzed since then.

On January 11, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar used threatening language against Pakistan as he spoke about the Pathankot terror attack during an address to army officers, warning that those “who have harmed us will also feel the pain.”

“This should not be taken as government thinking. I always believe anyone who harms you understands the same language. The time and place should be of our choosing,” Mr Parrikar had said at a seminar to mark the 68th Army Day.

“If someone is harming this country, I think that particular individual or organisation – I have purposely used the word individual or organisation – should also receive similar pain. Until the pain can be transmitted, he will always enjoy giving pain to us,” he commented.

When asked to clarify his remarks, Parrikar told reporters later: “History tells you that those who damage you, if they don’t realise what pain they inflict, then they don’t change.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, an Islamabad-based think-tank, has also issued a warning to the government, asking for immediate security arrangements to ensure security of its sensitive installations and public.

“The government must not ignore threats by the Indian defence minister.  We have recently noticed terrorist attacks near Pakistani missions in Jalalabad and Jakarta. So these public threats need to be taken care of,” Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) Managing Director Abdullah Khan said, while talking to Pakistan Today.

“India blames Pakistani non-State actors for terrorist attacks on its soil, while Pakistan believes that India’s State agencies are involved in negative activities against Pakistan. Actions speak louder than words. Sponsoring terrorism or insurgencies is no one’s interest. The statement by the Indian defence minister is a negative response to Pakistan’s sincere efforts to address Indian concerns,” he added.

Khan said that Pakistan has sincerely cooperated to investigate Indian allegations regarding the Pathankot attack.

“The JeM chief and many officials have been arrested, while some of their seminaries have been sealed. This all has happened even before the investigation was completed. It is a goodwill gesture and India should honour that instead of playing to the extremist gallery at home,” said Khan.

He reminded that Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism and there are serious concerns about some militant groups reportedly being sponsored by our neighbours.

“It is time to move in the right direction of peace instead of issuing rhetorical statements. The blame game has dented relationships in the past,” observed the PICSS managing director. He said that India has been defeated in its agenda in terms of what it was doing in Balochistan, in connivance with the traitors of Pakistan.

“India has also badly failed and has been exposed in terms of what it tried to do with the help of the MQM chief. India has been involved in terrorist activities in Pakistan with the help of TTP.

“Now if there is any terrorist attack in Pakistan, the responsibility will rest with India,” concluded the PICSS statement.

‎Talking to Pakistan Today, Senate standing Committee on Interior and Narcotics‎ Chairman and PPP leader Senator Rehman Malik said that the Indian mindset and their sincerity for Pakistan could be well judged by Parikar’s statement. His words are not only threatening but help make clear his anti-Pakistan mindset, just like his boss PM Modi and the ‘big boss’ RAW.

“Indian leadership follows the anti-Pakistan roadmap duly designed by the Indian RAW. I warn this highly undiplomatic defence minister that he should stop using threatening language against Pakistan under the threat and dictation of RAW,” he added.

“I had given a statement when PM Modi visited Pakistan that India is not sincere in its dialogue, and Modi and RAW were demonstrating hypocrisy to create a space for negative propaganda against Pakistan,” he said.

“I challenge Parikar and Modi to appear with me together in the media and I will prove that India is anti-Pakistan and sponsoring state terrorism,” he said.

“We are fully capable of handling your threats and know how to defend our motherland,” he concluded.