'Naya Pakistan' Should Take 'Naya Action' Against Terror Groups: MEA

India on Saturday said its non-military strike on the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) camp in Pakistan achieved its desired objective and demonstrated the country’s firm resolve to take decisive action against cross border terrorism.

Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, at a media briefing, also said that an Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison, piloted by Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, shot down a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft and that there were eyewitness accounts and electronic evidence for it.

“We have also shared evidence in the form of parts of AMRAAM missile which were recovered from the site and are only carried by F-16 aircraft of the PAF,” he said.

“Our non-military counter-terrorism strike achieved the desired objective. It has demonstrated our firm resolve to take decisive action against cross border terrorism,” he said.

Only one aircraft was lost by India during Pakistan’s unsuccessful attempt at targeting Indian military installations, he said.

Kumar also said if, as Pakistan claims, it has evidence of downing of second Indian aircraft then why has it not shared it.

Since the Pulwama terror attack the international community has stood by India, Kumar said.

Kumar said that it was unfortunate that Pakistan still continued to deny JeM’s own claim of carrying out the Pulwama attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, he said.

Kumar asserted that Pakistan-based terror groups were conducting their activities without any hindrance.

He called upon the UN Security Council to declare JeM leader Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under UN sanction committee.

He also said Pakistan must show credible, verifiable and sustained action against terror groups operating from its soil.

Kumar said that Pakistan should back its claims of being ‘a new Pakistan’ with action against terror groups. 

He also made clear that holding Kartarpur corridor talks did not mean resumption of bilateral ties. 

On the issue of the fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi’s extradition, the MEA spokesperson said the UK is still considering India’s request.

India is taking all steps necessary for his extradition, he asserted.

(With PTI inputs)