18 soldiers were killed in terror attack on army base at Jammu and Kashmir's Uri
Highlights
- PM discussed government's response to the attack with senior ministers
- 4 terrorists from Pakistan sneaked into the Uri army base
- Pakistan has denied any links with the attackers
Reflecting anger in New Delhi after the killing of 18 soldiers in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said today that "India-Pakistan relations will never be the same again".
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a meeting this morning with his seniormost ministers to discuss the government's response to Sunday's terror attack, decided that Pakistan must be diplomatically isolated at every international forum, sources said.
A series of meetings betrayed a sense of urgency after the latest attack - the deadliest the army has seen in recent years.
Four terrorists from Pakistan sneaked into the Uri army base and killed 17 soldiers before being shot dead in an intense three-hour gun battle. An 18th soldier died of his injuries today.
"Pakistan's actions have gone beyond tolerance," said Mr Prasad. "While Pakistan lives in a chronic state of denial, there is conclusive evidence of its role," he added.
Top sources said the government is clear that there must be a calibrated, multi-layered and strategic response from India to the attack.
The opposition Congress took a swipe at PM Modi, reminding him of his attacks in the past questioning the previous UPA government's policy on Pakistan.
"Mr Prime Minister are you not weak? If you are strong, the country needs proof of it," Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters.
"If it is true that the Jaish-e-Mohammed is behind the attack, then it begs another question: Could Kandahar have been handled differently? Because it is after his release that Masood Azhar formed JeM," said Mr Tewari.
Masood Azhar, who is based in Pakistan, was released by India in return for the passengers and crew of the Indian Airlines flight IC-814 that was hijacked by terrorists in 1999. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance was in power at the Centre.
Mr Tewari accused the government of not having a clear policy towards Pakistan. "The Modi government should ask itself two questions. One, what do you want to do with Pakistan, and secondly, what can you do with Pakistan," Mr Tewari said.
Pakistan has denied any links with the attackers calling it a "baseless and irresponsible accusation," in a statement today.