JD (U) asks govt. to keep dialogue option open with Pakistan

Expressing serious concern over the recent killing of Indian soldiers, the Janata Dal (United) has called for strengthening internal security and at the same time advocated that the government keep the option of having a dialogue with Pakistan open.

Highlighting the recent attacks in Uri and Pathankot, JD (U) leader Sharad Yadav told ANI that the present situation is very tense.

"There have been attacks in Uri and Pathankot recently. We want that the internal security must be strengthened and the government must also keep the option open of initiating dialogue with Pakistan," said Yadav.

"It is extremely unfortunate that almost every day our jawans are being killed on the border," he added.

In a stern warning to Pakistan, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that India will never accept continued cross-border terrorism as the new normal.

"Stop cross-border terrorism and then we can talk," said MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup, adding India is in favour of talks but not in this atmosphere of terror.

Swarup further said that India has not received any request from Pakistan for a bilateral meeting.

Commenting on Tuesday's Nagrota terror attack, Swarup said India is awaiting specific details before taking the next step. He added that the government has taken this attack very seriously and will do what it feels is required for national security.

A group of heavily-armed terrorists in police uniform stormed an army unit in Nagrota, about three kilometers from the Corps headquarters on the outskirts of Jammu city on Tuesday morning.

Seven army personnel, including two officers, were killed in this attack before three terrorists were killed.