Pak considers cross-border terrorism an 'instrument of state policy': MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday alleged that Pakistan is a country which has a long record of carrying out cross-border terrorism and it regards this as an instrument of state policy.

"This puts Pakistan at odds with the rest of the international community. Over the years, India has suffered many heinous attacks which have been supported and sponsored by Pakistan," MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media.

Swarup said this has been a calculated strategy on Pakistan's part for many years.

"The attack on the Indian Parliament, the Kaluchak massacre, the 2005 Delhi bombings, the attack on the CRPF camp in Rampur in 2008, the Mumbai terror attack, the attack on the Pathankot airbase and the attack on the army camp in Uri are all reminders of the continuing complicity of Pakistan in sponsoring cross-border terrorism of which Nagrota is the latest example," he added.

He asserted that the cross-border terrorism from across the Line of Control is a challenge which India has faced over many decades.

"It was our assessment at that point of time that there was an imminent threat based on hard intelligence about the location of armed terrorists who were ready to infiltrate across the LoC and carry out terrorist activities on our side," he added.

Swarup said the imminent threat was successfully neutralized through the surgical strikes.

"We should not look only at what happened but also at what did not happen.what was prevented through successful neutralization of terrorists. We are awaiting detailed information on the specifics of the Nagrota attack before we decide on our next step. But I do wish to emphasise that the government takes this incident very seriously and will do what it feels is required for our national security," he added.