Highlights
- Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba claims responsibility for Pampore attack
- Eight CRPF jawans died after terrorists ambushed their convoy
- Won't fire first bullet, but won't keep count if Pak fires: Home Minister
Union minister Rajnath Singh came out strongly against Pakistan following Saturday's attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pampore, for which Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba has taken responsibility.
Eight para-military personnel were killed and 25 were injured in the attack, said to be the worst in the last 3 years.
"We will make sure not to fire the first bullet, but even if one bullet is fired from their (Pakistan's) side, we shouldn't even think about keeping a count on the bullets that we'll fire," the home minister said at a function in Punjab, recalling his "standing orders" after the killing of five Indians by Pakistani Rangers in the border area one-and-a-half years ago.
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said the Pampore attack was a mark of "frustration".
"Over the last one month, we had shot down 25 to 30 terrorists who had infiltrated to India from Pakistan," Mr Parrikar said. "Chances are slipping away from the hands of the terrorists. This incident is their attempt to keep themselves in the news."
While Lashkar founder Hafiz Sayeed -- who has a $10 million bounty on his head -- has a free run in Pakistan, reports said Pakistan envoy Abdul Basit had dismissed the Pampore attack yesterday.
"It's the month of Ramzaan, let's focus on this Iftaar party... The issue of Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed issue between India and Pakistan. We hope we will sit and discuss on the issue and find a solution," the High Commissioner had reportedly said.