Concerned over Kashmir attack, Pakistan hopes talks go ahead

ISLAMABAD: With Pakistan being readily blamed for Thursday’s Kashmir attack which killed at least a dozen Indian security personnel, including a high ranking officer Lieutenant Colonel Bikramjit Singh.

A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Friday read that Pakistan “noted with deep concern, media reports on the unfortunate incident in Jammu on 26 September 2013”.

The statement went on to add that “the timing of this attack is particularly disturbing as it takes place a couple of days before the leaders of Pakistan and India are to meet in a bid to move towards improvement of relations.”

“It is imperative that any such act of violence should not be allowed to deter us from pursuing a path to a better future for our peoples,” it hoped.

Noting that Pakistan was itself a foremost victim of terrorism, and condemned “all forms of terrorism.”

“Pakistan remains committed to eliminate the specter of terrorist violence from our society and our region and has on numerous occasions offered cooperation to India in fighting this menace through laid down bilateral mechanisms.”

In the end the statement said Pakistan was ready to discuss all outstanding disputes in a meaningful manner.