Stop blame game: Pakistan reacts to Narendra Modi’s ‘proxy war’ barb

Islamabad: Pakistan on Wednesday responded strongly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s barb that it is waging a ‘proxy war’ against India by sending militants to attack the country.

A statement was made by a Pakistani government spokesperson, who termed Modi’s allegation as "baseless rhetoric" and said "instead of engaging in a blame game, the two countries should focus on resolving all issues through dialogue."

Mr Modi was in Kashmir on Tuesday, his second trip to the state in two months. "The neighbouring country has lost the strength to fight a conventional war but continues to engage in the proxy war of terrorism," he told officers and men from the army and air force in the region of Leh. He then became the first PM to visit Kargil since the 1999 war with Pakistan. (In Kashmir, PM Condemns 'Proxy War' by Pakistan)

Modi had on Tuesday slammed Pakistan for continuing its proxy war of terrorism against India, saying it has lost the strength to fight a conventional war.

"The neighbouring country has lost the strength to fight a conventional war, but continues to engage in the proxy war of terrorism," he said while addressing troops of Army and the Indian Air Force on his maiden trip to Leh and Ladakh.

The Prime Minister said the Indian armed forces were suffering more casualties from terrorism than from war. Noting that this is a global problem, the Prime Minister said all humanitarian forces of the world should unite to fight it.

"India is committed to strengthening and uniting these humanitarian forces," he said.

The Prime Minister's comments came close on the heels of militants attacking a BSF convoy at Pampore in South Kashmir's Pulwama district, leaving eight personnel including an officer injured.