Pulwama Terror Attack: ‘We support India’s right to self-defence,’ US tells NSA Ajit Doval
After Pakistan backed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) attacked a convoy of security personnel and killed over 40 CRPF men in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama, the US extended its support to India. US National Security Advisor John Bolton told India’s NSA Ajit Doval on Friday that America supports India’s right to self-defence after the two officials discussed Pulwama terrorist attack.
Bolton telephones NSA and expressed his condolences over the heinous terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and offered full co-operation in the fight against terrorism.
"I told Ajit Doval today that we support India’s right to self-defence. I have spoken to him twice, including this morning... and expressed US' condolences over the terrorist attack, he told PTI.
US National Security Advisor John Bolton supported India's right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism. He offered all assistance to India to bring the perpetrators and backers of the attack promptly to justice. NSA Doval appreciated US support. #PulwamaAttack https://t.co/jYG6KgeDXn
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019
Bolton added that the US has been very clear to Pakistan on ending support to terrorist safe havens. "We have been very clear on that score... And, we are continuing to be in discussions we are going to have with the Pakistanis," he said.
Prior extending its support to India, the White House and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had asked Pakistan to end its support to terrorist safe havens inside the country. "We stand with #India as it confronts terrorism. Pakistan must not provide a safe haven for terrorists to threaten international security," Mr Pompeo said on Twitter.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had a telephonic conversation with his US counterpart John Bolton on the evening of 15 Feb. The call was initiated by the US side to express condolences & outrage over #PulwamaAttack attack by Pakistan-based terrorist group JeM. (file pic) pic.twitter.com/MlB6TU0ULb
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2019
Over 40 CRPF men were martyred on Thursday while a convoy of the security forces was hit by Mahindra Scorpio with 350 kg of explosives. The cavalcade of the CRPF was moving from Jammu to Kashmir via National Highway where 78 vehicles were carrying over 2,500 personnel.
"The United States calls on Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a late night statement on Thursday.
PM Narendra Modi condemned the attack and issued warnings to the terrorists and Pakistan for their coward attack on the security forces.
Curfew has been imposed in Jammu at Bus Stand, Nawabad, Bakshi Nagar, Peer Mitha, Pacca Danga, Channi Himmat, Janipur, Domana, and Bagh-E-Bahu areas, while the internet services have been stalled in the region.
First published: 16 February 2019, 10:11 IST