US National Security Adviser dials Ajit Doval, both resolve to designate Masood Azhar a global terrorist
New Delhi, Feb 16 (UNI/IBNS) In the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir claiming about 40 lives of Indian soldiers, US National Security Adviser (NSA) John Bolton telephoned his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and told him that Washington 'supports' India’s right to self-defense "against cross border terrorism".
Both NSAs resolved to hold Pakistan to account for its obligations under UN resolutions and to remove all obstacles to designating Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) leader Masood Azhar as a global terrorist under the UN Security Council Resolution 1267 Committee process.
"National Security Advisor Ajit Doval had a telephone call with his US counterpart Ambassador John Bolton on the evening of February 15. The call was initiated by the US side to express condolences and outrage over the Pulwama attack by Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM)," an MEA statement said here.
"Ambassador Bolton supported India's right to self-defence against cross-border terrorism" it said.
The US NSA offered "all assistance" to India to bring the perpetrators and backers of the attack promptly to justice while for his part Mr Doval appreciated US support.
"The two NSAs vowed to work together to ensure that Pakistan cease to be a safe haven for JeM and terrorist groups that target India, the US and others in the region," it said.
In one of the worst terror attacks on security personnel in recent times, at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred and 14 others injured when a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) militant (suicide bomber) rammed an IED laden vehicle into the forces' convoy at Awantipora in south Kashmir district of Pulwama on Srinagar-Jammu national highway on Thursday afternoon.
JeM has claimed responsibility for the Fidayeen (suicide) attack even as India slammed Pakistan for giving full freedom to the militant group in its territory to prepare for attacking Indian securitymen.
"This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by Government of Pakistan to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under the control of Pakistan and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity," said India in a statement.
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