Five Indian soldiers killed by Pakistan

• Multiple incidents despite talks with Pakistan
• We must give appropriate response to Pak, suspend talks
• Attacks on the Line of Control can be prevented if government takes the right steps
• Pakistan has crossed all limits
• I would like to ask Congress-led UPA - till when will these talks with Pakistan continue?
• There have been so many incidents since Independence even after which talks with Pakistan continue
• PM should announce no talks with Pakistan
• The message has been conveyed to the government here
• Delhi ki sarkaar ko jaane se duniya ki koi takat nahi rokh sakti hain
• At UN meet, our PM should not engage any kind of talks with Pak PM. "Yeh elaan karna chahiye PM ko."

Subject:PRESS RELEASE-Statement of the Prime Minister of Pakistan

Office of the Spokesperson

High Commission for Pakistan

No. 28/2013-PR

PRESS RELEASE

Statement of the Prime Minister of Pakistan

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has expressed his sadness over the recent incidents on the Line of Control (LoC) which has resulted into flaring up of tensions between India and Pakistan and loss of precious human lives.

The Prime Minister expressed these views during a briefing by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials at the Foreign Office today.

The Prime Minister said that it was imperative for both India and Pakistan to take effective steps to ensure and restore ceasefire on the Line of Control.

The Prime Minister, during the briefing, also emphasized that while existing military to military channels could be more optimally utilized to prevent misunderstanding and not allowing situation to escalate. Pakistan, he said, is prepared to discuss steps with India for further strengthening of existing mechanisms both at the political and military levels.

The Prime Minister further said that it is incumbent upon the leadership of both sides not to allow the situation to drift and to take steps to improve the atmosphere by engaging constructively with a view to building trust and confidence.

The Prime Minister said that he was looking forward to his meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. During the meeting, we will discuss steps to further build trust and consolidate this relationship, the Prime Minister added.

 The Prime Minister reiterated the resolve that Pakistan will persist in its efforts to improve relations with India through a constructive dialogue on all issues.

Mr. Pervez Rashid Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage,        Mr. Sartaj Aziz, Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security, Mr. Tariq Fatimi Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs and senior officials of the Foreign Office and Prime Minister's Office attended the briefing.

New Delhi

August 8, 2013.

******

Defence Minister AK Antony today indicted Pakistan's army for the deadly amubsh in which five Indian soldiers were killed in Kashmir earlier this week.

The minister said that "specialist troops" of the Pakistani Army crossed the Line of Control into Indian territory and killed the five Indians.. "We all know nothing happens from Pakistan side of the Line of Control without support, assistance, facilitation and often, direct involvement of the Pakistan Army," Mr Antony said.

He also warned, "Our restraint should not be taken for granted; nor should the capacity of our Armed Forces..." (Read full text of AK Antony's statement in Lok Sabha)

His strongly-worded statement comes after the opposition accused him  of deliberately choosing not to blame the Pakistani army for the attack, amid attempts to revive peace talks with Pakistan.  The government has not yet officially commented on whether the assault will change plans for the Prime Minister to  meet his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, when both leaders attend the UN General Assembly in New York next month.

But sources say that the government is clear that "business as usual" will not continue, and that Pakistan will have to effectively demonstrate its commitment to curbing attacks in India.

The Pakistani Prime Minister responded this evening, "It is imperative for India and  Pakistan to take effective steps torestore  the ceasefire on Line of Control."

In Parliament, the new statement of the Defence Minister was welcomed by Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj who had accused him of "giving a clean chit to Pakistan" on Tuesday, when he stopped short of  blaming the Pakistani army and attributed the assault to "men in Pakistani army uniforms." (Read: Defence Minister's statement on Tuesday)

He was contradicted by his own ministry, which issued a statement directly accusing Pakistani soldiers of participating in the ambush. (Read Defence Ministry statement)

But the ministry later retracted its statement and said Mr Antony's account represented the official record of what had happened on the border. (Read: Defence Ministry retracts statement)

Mr Antony said his new assessment is based on inputs from Army Chief General Bikram Singh who visited Kashmir yesterday.

• It is the opposition's duty to bring the government back on track when it has derailed and that is we got the statement rectified.
• Bihar Minister Bhim Singh insulted the martyrs. Apology is not enough.
• Nitish Kumar has been an ethical man. He suspended a minister earlier when accused of wrongdoing.
• BJP expects he will suspend Bhim Singh for insulting martyrs.

• Sources: Government won't commit to meeting with Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif. PM Manmohan Singh is scheduled to meet Mr Sharif on the sideline of an UN meet in New York in September.
• Sources: Can't be business as usual with Pakistan
• Sources: Pakistan needs to get its act together first

• Nothing happened at LoC without the support, assistance of the Pakistan Army
• The incident happened with the support of specialist Pakistan troops
  
• They should not go unpunished
• Pakistan should show determined action
  
• This will affect our relationship with Pakistan, in policies and at the Line of Control

Cong spokesperson says 'lashon pe rajneeti ho rahi hai'. Kshama karein, ye lashein nahin - shaheed hain.

- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwarajbjp) August 7, 2013

Aur shaheedon ke baare poochhna rajneeti nahin, deshbhakti hai.

- Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwarajbjp) August 7, 2013