In a terse reply to Pakistan for denying surgical strikes along the line of Control (loC) on September 29, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said the Indian Army was given a task that was carried out with ‘surgical precision’, the ‘desired result was obtained’, and the ‘intended message has been conveyed’ to Islamabad. Hence, these denial and statements have no value, said MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup.
Responding sharply to Pakistan’s denial on the recent surgical strikes, Swarup said on Thursday that truth cannot remain hidden for long, no matter how hard one tries to conceal it. “As we all know, it is usual to see Pakistan’s reaction of denial of terrorism sponsored from its soil against its neighbours. Elimination of Osama bin laden and Mullah Mansoor was met with similar denials. But we all know the truth comes out,” said the spokesperson.
He added India’s intention was to maintain peace and tranquility in the region and it cannot allow the terrorists to operate across the loC with impunity and attack its citizens.
Swarup said India has managed to isolate Pakistan on the issue of terrorism and it will continue to keep it under pressure. “You have already seen the pressure that we have brought to bear internationally on Pakistan to cease support to cross-border terrorism. You have seen the result at the UNGA. You have seen the result at SAARC. You have seen the statements by major countries like the US and Russia. I do not think I need to say any more,” added Swarup.
India is also mulling to withdraw Most-Favoured Nation status to Pakistan on the basis that “promoting prosperity with neighbours is Government’s priority but terror can’t be the product exported,” he said.
Meanwhile, reacting to Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) announcement to hold rally in Pak to pressurise the PakistanGgovernment following the surgical strikes, India said it has always voiced concerns at the freedom available to such internationally designated terrorists in Pakistan to conduct and promote anti-India activities openly.
“It is up to the Government of Pakistan to abide by its assurances that it will deny the use of its territory for such purposes,” added Swarup.
The DPC is a group of jihadi and islamist outfits and involves internationally banned terrorists such as Hafeez Saeed. It has been underground for a while now in Pakistan but has reemerged after India’s action along loC.