India summons Pak CDA over Nagrota misadventure by JeM terrorists

New Delhi: Close on the heels of foiling a major terror attack in Nagrota in Jammu and Kashmir on November 19; Pakistan chargé d’affaires Aftlab Hussain Khan was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs and a strong protest was lodged.

“It was demanded that Pakistan desists from its policy of supporting terrorists and terror groups operating from its territory and dismantle the terror infrastructure…,” an MEA statement said here on Saturday.

A major terror attack was foiled by Indian security forces in Nagrota, Jammu and Kashmir on November 19, 2020. Initial reports indicate the attackers to be members of Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a terrorist organisation prescribed by the United Nations and several countries, it said. The Government of India expressed its serious concerns at continued terror attacks by JeM against India.

“JeM has been part of several attacks in India in the past, including the Pulwama attack in February 2019. The huge cache of arms, ammunition and explosive material indicate detailed planning for a major attack to destabilish the peace and security in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in particular, to derail the ongoing democratic exercise of conduct of local District Development Council elections,” the statement said.

Islamabad has been also urged to “dismantle the terror infrastructure operated by terrorist outfits” to launch attacks in other countries.

“India reiterated its long standing demand that Pakistan fulfil its international obligations and bilateral commitments to not allow any territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India in any manner,” the statement said.

The MEA aserted that the Government of India is firmly and resolutely committed to take all necessary measures to “safeguard” its national security in the fight against terrorism.

In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has on Friday said: “Our security forces have once again displayed utmost bravery and professionalism. Thanks to their alertness, they have defeated a nefarious plot to target grassroots level democratic exercises in Jammu and Kashmir”.

PM Modi further stated: “Neutralising of 4 terrorists belonging to Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed and the presence of large cache of weapons and explosives with them indicates that their efforts to wreak major havoc and destruction have once again been thwarted”.

The Charge d’Affaires of the High Commission of Pakistan was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs on November 14 as well and a “strong protest” was lodged over unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces, on multiple sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on November 13.

The misadventure had resulted in the death of four innocent civilians and serious injuries to 19 others.