Pathankot attack: Pak arrests several JeM men, seals offices

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, January 13, 2016: Pakistan has claimed  that it has arrested several Jaish-e-Mohammad operatives and sealed its offices in raids conducted across the country today. The banned terror group  run by Masood Azhar is believed to be behind the January 2 attack on the Indian Air Force (IAF) base in Pathankot.

A high level meeting was chaired by Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today to discuss the prevailing security situation in the country. The meeting was attended by Ministers of Interior and Finance, Advisor on Foreign Affairs and Director General Intelligence Bureau, among other top ranking officials.

"The meeting noted with satisfaction that as part of Pakistan’s commitment to eliminate terrorism from our soil and the expressed national resolve not to allow our territory to be used for acts of terrorism anywhere, considerable progress has been made in the investigations being carried out against terrorist elements reportedly linked to the Pathankot incident," a press statement issued by Pakistan said.

The press release claimed that several individuals belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad have been apprehended by the Pakistan government. "The offices of the organization are also being traced and sealed. Further investigations are underway," the press statement added.

The Pakistan government is also considering to send a Special Investigation Team to Pathankot.

"In the spirit of the cooperative approach, it was also decided that in order to carry the process forward, additional information would be required, for which the Government of Pakistan is considering to send a Special Investigation Team to Pathankot, in consultation with the Government of India. The meeting reiterated that in line with our decision to counter and completely eliminate terrorism, Pakistan would remain engaged with India on this issue," the press statement said.

On Tuesday, Home Minister Rajnath Singh had said Islamabad has promised effective action on leads provided by India regarding involvement of Pakistan based terror groups.

"There was no reason to distrust them so early. We should all wait (for Pakistani action)," Rajnath Singh had told reporters on the sidelines of an event in Greater Noida.