Masood Azhar owned up, act now, India tells Pak PM Imran Khan

New Delhi/Islamabad: Hours after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan asked India to furnish proof of Pakistani involvement in plotting thPake Pulwama attacks and also warned India of military retaliation in case of any attack by India, New Delhi hit back, saying that Pakistan has been the “nerve centre of terrorism” and describing the Pakistani offer to investigate as a “lame excuse”.

Describing the Pakistani denial of involvement as an “oft-repeated excuse”, India termed as “regrettable” and a “false allegation” Mr Khan’s insinuation that the Indian response to the terror attack was determined by the forthcoming general election. It also said terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed had confessed to the attack and that the fact that its leader Masood Azhar  is based in Pakistan “should be sufficient proof” for Islamabad to take action.

The Indian statement was, however, silent on Mr Khan’s threat of retaliation in case of any military action by India. The Pakistani PM added that “India accused Pakistan without any evidence”.

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Khan sought to assure India that he would act against the perpetrators of the Pulwama terror attack if New Delhi shares “actionable intelligence”, but at the same time warned against any “revenge” retaliatory action. In a video message to the nation, Mr Khan said: “I have been hearing and seeing on the Indian media that politicians there are calling for revenge from Pakistan. If India thinks it will attack Pakistan, then we will not just think but retaliate. Starting a war is in our hands, it is easy. But ending a war, that is not in our hands and no one knows what will happen.” The Pakistani PM added that “India accused Pakistan without any evidence”.

The Pakistani PM’s message is seen as a sign of nervousness on the part of the Pakistani military amid speculation whether India would carry out another surgical strike against militants operating from Pakistan.