Pathankot probe: Pakistan is pretending to sleep, says Manohar Parrikar

Hitting out at Pakistan for dismissing the evidence provided by India in connection with the Pathankot terror attack, defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday accused the neighbouring country of “pretending to sleep” and not being serious about the probe.

According to reports, the minister also ruled out allowing the Pakistani special investigation team into the Pathankot air base. Mr Parrikar also said the ministry plans to cut the “slack and flab” of the military. However, he made it clear that the “effective component of armed forces will not be compromised”.

On Pakistan, while noting it is a matter that concerns the Prime Minister’s Office and the ministry of external affairs, Mr Parrikar was quoted by news agencies, as telling a private TV channel, “If somebody pretends to fall asleep, it’s difficult to find out.” He was asked about Pakistan’s claim that the evidence given by India is not concrete enough. When told that Pakistan has also claimed that Pakistani mobile numbers given by India were “unregistered and had fake identities”, Mr Parrikar responded, “Fake identity and non- registration indicates connivance of some. You have to investigate and find out who gave numbers that are not registered.” He said that the Indian government has been continuously giving evidence relating to so many attacks to Pakistan. “If someone is serious, he can definitely act,” he said.

Asked whether the Pakistani SIT would be allowed inside the Pathankot base, he said he was not aware of any such request from them. “As far as air bases and defence installations are concerned, no one can enter them without permission of the defence ministry,” he said. When asked again, he said, “The incident has happened here and we will investigate what has happened here. What we are asking them to investigate is the role of their people in their country.”

The MEA has however maintained that it welcomes any visit of a Pakistani SIT but added that the modalities of where such a team will visit can be worked out.

The Defence Minister also said he is “hurt” by the US’ decision to sell F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan. On the ‘One Rank, One Pension’ scheme, Parrikar said the government will differentiate between voluntary retirement for better prospects and premature retirement in the interest of the army. He said that a judicial committee has been set up to look into the issue of premature retirement.

On the resentment among armed forces on the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission, Parrikar said all the legitimate concerns of the armed forces would be addressed.

India meanwhile on Thursday called as “confirmation of truth” Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s reported comment that the Kargil “misadventure” in 1999 by troops of his country was a stab in the back for the then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee as the two neighbours were engaged in a peace process.

“Nawaz Sharif has said something which was known to all. Everybody knew about it. He has only confirmed a truth which we all aware of,” External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

Addressing a public rally in Muzaffarabad, Sharif had reportedly agreed on Wednesday that Kargil offensive by Pakistani troops was a misadventure and a stab in the back for then Prime Minister Vajpayee.

Meanwhile, sticking to its position, India on Thursday said it disagreed with the US’ rationale that supply of F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan will help combat terrorism but at the same time noted that its ties with Washington were not a single-issue relationship.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the US’ decision to sell eight F-16 jets “will create negative sentiment” in the India-US relationship.

“We have our concerns and we do not agree with their rationale. They said F16 will be used for combating terrorism. It will be to fight against terrorists. We do not agree with that rationale,” Swarup said.

He was asked about the US’ reaction on India’s opposition to the decision. On Saturday, India had summoned US Ambassador Richard Verma to convey its “displeasure and disappointment” over the decision. However, Swarup added that the relationship with the US “is not a single issue relationship”.

Rejecting India’s disappointment over the issue, the Pentagon had yesterday said the decision to sell the F-16 jets to Pakistan should not be a cause of concern for New Delhi as the regional security situation was taken into account. “We don’t think it should cause concern for India,” Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook had said. Asked about Pakistan’s view that it was “surprised and disappointed” over India’s reaction to the US decision, Swarup said it was on expected lines. “We are not surprised at the Pakistani reaction. That was on expected lines,” he said.