End Support, Safe Haven to Terror Groups, US Tells Pak on Pulwama
US called on Pakistan to end support and safe haven provided to terrorist groups operating on its soil immediately.
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Countries from across the globe condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district – with nations such as the US, Russia and France asserting that they stand with the Indian government.
In the wake of ghastly attack on security forces in the Valley, the White House has asked Islamabad to "immediately end its support" to all terror groups and not to provide "safe haven" to them, condemning the brutal Pulwama terror attack that claimed the lives of at least 40 CRPF soldiers.
Click here for all the live updates on the Pulwama terror attack.
"The United States calls on Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region," White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders said in a late night statement on Thursday, 14 February.
"We express our deep condolences to the victims' families, the Indian government, and the Indian people for the loss of life in this brutal attack," said the Press Secretary of President Donald Trump.
Earlier, the US State Department said in a statement that it was "resolutely committed" to working with the Indian government to combat terrorism in all its forms.
UN Condemns Pulwama Attack, Urges Pak to End Support to Terrorist Groups
The United States condemned the terror attack and said it stands alongside India in defeating terrorism. Several US lawmakers said the two countries stand united in condemning and defeating terror.
The office of the press secretary issued a statement that it strongly condemns the attack and that it only strengthens its resolve to bolster counter-terrorism cooperation and coordination between the two countries.
“The United States calls on Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos violence, and terror in the region,” the statement said.
The state department also issued a travel advisory to its citizens asking them to reconsider travel to Pakistan due to terrorism, ANI reported.
Over 50 Congressmen and senators took to social media to express their solidarity with the people of India and called for strict action against the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and its state sponsors.
"The US Mission in India strongly condemns today's terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims," US Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster tweeted.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the terror attack against security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district.
When asked about New Delhi's appeal to the international community to support India's proposal to include JeM chief Masood Azhar as a designated terrorist under the UN Security Council's Sanctions Committee and to ban terrorist organisations operating from territories controlled by Pakistan, Dujarric said the "issue of listing of terror organisations is one that is in the hands of the Security Council.”
Cutting across party lines, over 50 Congressmen and Senators took to social media to express their solidarity with the people of India and called for strict action against the JeM terror outfit and its state sponsors.
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer tweeted that the US stands with India.
Senator Robert Menendez said he was outraged by the terror attack, “one of the deadliest in the region since 1989.”
US Senator Tom Cotton said the US stands with its "partner India as it recovers from a terrorist bombing in Kashmir. Jaish-e-Mohammed and its state sponsors must face consequences for this attack".
Congresswoman and Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard took to Twitter to condemn the attack and urged people to stand against ‘jihadists and their ideology’.
US EXPERTS RAISE QUESTIONS ABOUT ISI ROLE
US The experts said the terror strike shows the United States has failed to persuade Pakistan to act against Jaish-e-Mohammad and other terrorist groups.
“The self-proclaimed involvement of JeM in the attack raises serious questions about the role of the ISI in supporting the masterminds of this operation,” Bruce Riedel, a former CIA analyst, told PTI.
Perpetrators Should Be Duly Punished: Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin, while condemning the attack, told President Ram Nath Kovind and PM Narendra Modi, “Please accept the most sincere condolences. We strongly condemn this brutal crime. The perpetrators & sponsors of this attack, undoubtedly, should be duly punished.”
Australia ‘Stands With India’ in Fight Against Terrorism
Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne extended “deepest sympathies” to the families of Pulwama victims. She wrote on Twitter, “We stand with India in the fight against terrorism.”
‘France Will Be By India’s Side’
French Ambassador to India Alexandre Ziegler said his country most firmly condemns the heinous attack perpetrated in Pulwama.
“France has always been and always will be by India's side in the fight against terrorism in all its forms,” he said.
UAE Stands In Solidarity With India
UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said it stands in solidarity with the government and people of India in their fight against violence and extremism, ANI reported.
Germany Condemns ‘Heinous’ Attack
Germany, too, strongly condemned the attack, saying it stands by its strategic partner India. Dr Jasper Wieck, Charge d'Affaires of the German Embassy in India. expressed support, saying “Germany stand with its strategic partner India”.
Israel Stands by India, Expresses Condolences
Ron Malka, Israel’s Ambassador to India, tweeted that Israel strongly condemns the terror attack in Pulwama.
Saudi Kingdom Stands With India Against Terrorism
Saudi Arabia on Friday denounced the terror attack.
The Kingdom strongly condemns and denounces "these cowardly terrorist acts and stands with India against terrorism and extremism," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was cited as saying by the Saudi Press Agency.
"Saudi Arabia offers condolences to the Indian government, families of the victims and wishes the injured a speedy recovery," the Ministry said.
Sri Lanka PM Condemns Worst Attack in J&K Since 1989
Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said, “I strongly condemn the brutal terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pulwama district — the worst ever terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989.”
Maldives, Bhutan, Bangladesh Extend Support
Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih condemned the incident said, "The Maldives will continue to work with India and the international community to combat terrorism in our region and the world at large."
Bhutan Foreign Minister Tandi Dorji expressed grief over the death of CRPF jawans in the Pulwama attack.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in a message through the country's High Commission, said that her country remains steadfast in its commitment against terrorism.
Bangladesh would continue to work and cooperate with international community including India to eradicate the menace of terrorism, she said.
Terrorism Is a Crime Against Humanity, Can’t Be Justified: Seoul
Seoul released a statement on Friday saying that the country strongly condemns the car bombing terrorist attack on the Central Reserve Police Force in Pulwama.
The government has extended “its deepest condolences and sympathy to those who lost their lives in the attack and their bereaved families” in a statement released by Seoul’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“It is the ROK government's firm position that terrorism is a crime against humanity that cannot be justified under any circumstances and must be eradicated. ROK government will continue to actively work with the international community to eradicate terrorism,” the statement read.
(With inputs from ANI)
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