Imran asks for proof of role in attack; it’s sitting in Pak: India

TRADING CHARGES MEA dismisses offer to help as lame excuse; Pak PM warns of retaliation if attacked

ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday offered to help New Delhi investigate the Pulwama suicide bombing, which was claimed by Pakistan-based Jaishe-Mohammed, but warned his country would retaliate if India carries out an attack over the strike.

Within hours, New Delhi dismissed Khan’s offer, citing Pakistan’s track record in probing the 2008 Mumbai attacks and the 2016 Pathankot terror strike, which too were carried out by Pakistanbased terrorists, and on both of which India has provided substantial evidence to the country. India reiterated it is ready for a comprehensive dialogue but only in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.

During his address, Imran said he has heard Indian politicians and media talking about “revenge” and teaching Pakistan a lesson but hoped “better sense” will prevail. “If you think you will carry out some sort of attack on Pakistan, we will retaliate,” he said. “After that, where will things go? We all know it is easy to start a war...but ending a war is not in the hands of humans,” he said, adding there were some in India who believed the government will get a boost in upcoming elections “if Pakistan is taught a lesson”. Imran said Pakistan is ready to work with India in investigating the attack to ascertain “whether any Pakistani was involved”. He added, “If you have any actionable intelligence that Pakistan was involved, give it to us. I guarantee we will take action.”

Union minister Arun Jaitley rejected Khan’s remarks as diversionary. “Three things are obvious. There is not even a pretext of outright condemnation. Second, let alone sympathy for the bereaved families, not even lip sympathy for them. Thirdly, a very shallow logic – that provide to us actionable intelligence – as though the origin of the crime is not known. Actionable intelligence can only provide only some clues. Here the perpetrators of the crime have admitted to the crime,” Jaitley said.

The finance minister said the perpetrators were in Bahawalpur in Pakistan.