India summons Pak envoy, offers proof to nab culprits

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit and offered to provide fingerprints and DNA samples of terrorists killed in the Uri attack for

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit and offered to provide fingerprints and DNA samples of terrorists killed in the Uri attack for a possible investigation. India also expressed strong concern over the neighbour’s territory being used for terror strikes in the country.

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Basit was summoned by the foreign secretary before Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s address at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, where he is expected to take up the Kashmir issue.

Basit was told that if the government of Pakistan wishes to investigate the cross-border attacks, India was ready to provide fingerprints and DNA samples of terrorists killed in the Uri and Poonch attacks.

“The latest terrorist attack in Uri only underlines that the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan remains active. We demand that Pakistan lives up to its public commitment to refrain from supporting and sponsoring terrorism against India,” a statement from the external affairs ministry said.

Basit was reminded that Pakistan had made a solemn commitment in January 2004 to not allow its soil or territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India.

The envoy was told that the persistent and growing violation of this undertaking is a matter of very serious concern.

But sources in Pakistan said that the charges against the country were concocted.

“The high commissioner refuted allegations. India wants to divert attention from the Kashmir issue. Instead of propaganda, issues should be resolved through dialogue and under UNSC resolution,” they said.