Imran Khan Holds National Security Meet Amid Heightened Indo-Pak Tensions

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday chaired a key meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) during which the country's security situation was discussed, amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.

Ahead of the NSC meeting, Prime Minister Khan and Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa held a one-on-one meeting during which they discussed region's security situation, Pakistan-based Geo TV reported, citing sources.

Later during the NSC meeting, the Pulwama attack and situation arising out of it were discussed, the channel said, quoting sources.

The meeting was attended by Army chief General Bajwa, services chiefs, heads of intelligence agencies, security officials and federal and state ministers for finance, defence, foreign affairs and interior.

Forty CRPF personnel were killed on February 14 in one of the deadliest terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir when Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group's suicide bomber blew up an explosive-laden vehicle near their bus in Pulwama district.

The NSC council was also briefed by Foreign Office officials about the case of Kulbhushan Jadhav being heard at the International Court of Justice.

Kulbhushan Jadhav, 48, a retired Indian Navy officer, was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on charges of "espionage and terrorism" after a closed trial in April 2017. His sentencing evoked a sharp reaction in India.

India moved the ICJ in May 2017 for the "egregious violation" of the provisions of the Vienna Convention by Pakistan by repeatedly denying New Delhi consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav. 

The four-day hearing in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case opened Monday.