Pakistan PM looks for actionable intelligence over Pulwama attack, warns against retaliatory action

Islamabad, Feb 19 Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday guaranteed India that he would act against the perpetrators of the Pulwama dread assault if New Delhi shares actionable intelligence", but warned against any "revenge" retaliatory action.

In a video message to the country, Khan reacted to the Indian claims on Pakistan's involvement in the attack in Kashmir last Thursday

The suicide attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror group left 40 CRPF personnel dead.

Pakistan needs "stability in the region", Khan said

Khan said that he understood it was India's election year and the narrative of blaming Pakistan would make it simpler to get votes from the masses but he trusted that better sense will prevail and that India would be open to dialogue

He said that Delhi holds Pakistan capable each time an incident happens in Kashmir and makes Pakistan its "whipping boy" again and again

"The Kashmir issue like the Afghan issue will be settled through talks," he said

"If you have any actionable intelligence that a Pakistani is included. Offer it to us. I promise you we will make a move - not on the grounds that we are experiencing strain, but since they are acting as enemies of Pakistan," he 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 simple. However, finishing a war, that isn't in our hands and no one knows what will happen.? Khan said.

"Its not to our interests that someone from here goes out to do terrorism, nor that someone comes here and does terrorism," he included.

Khan said Pakistan was prepared for converses with India on terrorism

"I state it clearly this is a Naya (new) Pakistan and new mindset," he said

"India discusses incorporating fear based oppression in discourse with Pakistan. Fear based oppression is a major issue confronting this area and we need to kill it," Khan said

"If somebody is using Pakistan's soil to carry out terror attacks elsewhere, it is enmity with us. It is against our interests."

He said he didn't react to India's charges as he was busy with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the nation

"India denounced Pakistan with no proof and without deduction how this attack would profit us," he included. "Would even a trick attempt to harm such a critical visit as, that of the Saudi crown prince?" the PM inquired

"We have been fighting against terrorism for as far back as 15 years. In what manner will Pakistan profit by such episodes?"

On the Kashmir issue, Khan said "Kashmiris are not scared of death any longer. There must be a purpose behind that. Ought to there not be a dialog in India on this?" he inquired. "Which law on the planet enables everybody to wind up a judge and jury?"

Questioning whether India "needs to determine the issue through military", Khan stated, "This has never been a successful measure."

The already sour relations among India and Pakistan have worsened over the past week as New Delhi reprimanded Islamabad for the Pulwama assault. The Pakistani initiative has strongly refuted the allegations.