Open To Probe But Will Retaliate If India Attacks: Pakistan PM Imran Khan

Islamabad: Accusing India of blaming Islamabad for the Pulwama terror attack ‘without any proof’, Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan said his country will retaliate if the neighbouring nation resorts to military strikes.

“If you (Indian govt) think you can attack us and we will not think of retaliating, we will retaliate. We all know starting a war is in the hands of humans, where it will lead us, only God knows. This issue should be resolved through dialogue,” Khan said in a pre-recorded message.

“My statement is for the Indian government. You (Indian govt) have blamed the Pakistan government without any evidence,” he added.

His address comes a day after Pakistan shot off a letter to the UN, seeking its urgent intervention to defuse tensions with India.

Ruling out its involvement in the February 14 suicide bomber attack, the Pakistan premier further said that Islamabad was open to any investigation. “This is a New Pakistan… we want stability. We do not benefit by attacking India. It is in our interest that nobody from our soil spreads violence. I want to tell Indian govt that we will take action if evidence is found against anyone from Pakistan,” he said.

A day after the attack, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said there is “incontrovertible evidence” about Pakistan’s “direct” involvement in the attack that claimed lives of 40 paramilitary personnel.

The suicide bomber, who  rammed his explosive-filled car into a bus in CRPF convoy, was identified as Adil Ahmad Dar after Pakistani-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the attack and released a video featuring him.

India has revoked the most favoured nation status, which was accorded to Pakistan unilaterally 23 years ago, also raised the import duty on Pakistani goods to 200 per cent. In an effort to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, the ministry of external affairs also met envoys of 25 nations in the capital.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also said that the security forces have been given full freedom to retaliate.

Meanwhile, security forces have eliminated the mastermind of the terror attack, Ghazi Rashhed alias Kamran.