India’s ‘crushing response’ to suicide bombing

INDIA’S prime minister has warned of a “crushing response” to the suicide bombing of a paramilitary convoy in Indian-controlled Kashmir which killed 41 people and was the deadliest in the divided region’s volatile history.

Narendra Modi placed the blame for Thursday’s bombing on Pakistan, which India accuses of supporting rebels in Kashmir.

“Our neighbouring country thinks such terror attacks can weaken us, but their plans will not materialise,” he said, adding that government forces have been “given total freedom” to deal with the militants.

“Security forces have been given permission to take decisions about the timing, place and nature of their response,” he said.

Pakistan’s ruling party rejected his allegation, saying India’s ruling party was blaming Pakistan for the attack for political gains in an upcoming national election.

“The Indian allegations against Pakistan over yesterday’s incident are part of the election campaign,” said Naeemul Haq, a senior leader of the Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which came to power in last year’s parliamentary election.

He said the violence in Kashmir was “the result of the brutalities of Indian-occupied forces in Kashmir”.

The attack has ratcheted up already high tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who both administer parts of the disputed territory but claim it entirely.

Indian finance minister Arun Jaitley said New Delhi was withdrawing the most-favoured nation trade status given to Pakistan and would take all possible diplomatic steps “to ensure the isolation from international community of Pakistan.”