Pak must take 'concrete, visible' action on Pathankot strike: Omar Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said Islamabad has to take 'concrete and visible' action with regard to the recent terror strike in Pathankot, Punjab, and India on its parts needs to rectify it.

The Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also welcomed the fact that Pakistan has not denied its involvement of forces in the Pathankot attack.

"With an attack like Pathankot we expect concrete and visible action to be taken by Pakistan and that visible action has to be rectified by our government. The first step which has been taken which we welcome is that Pakistan has not denied its involvement of forces on their sides. So, clearly that's a departure from the norm because normally they deny first and then they start accepting. In this case they have accepted that perhaps Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) is responsible," Abdullah told ANI here.

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"There are reports that Maulana Masood has been taken into custody, we are waiting to see if these reports are confirmed and if they are it that will also be a welcomed development. But please remember that this is not the first time that has happened," he added.

In Pakistan, Law Minister of Punjab province, Rana Sanaullah has confirmed that banned terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar is under protective custody.

India on Thursday welcomed the steps taken by Pakistan to investigate the antecedents of the terror strike in Pathankot allegedly by the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and pledged to extend all help to the former's special investigation team when it arrives in India.

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MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that India viewed the crackdown on the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist group as an important and positive first step.

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Earlier, the Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said that they have no information about the arrest of Jaish-e-Muhammad ( JeM) chief Masood Azhar in connection with the recent Pathankot terror attack.

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Punjab ( Pakistan province) Law Minister Rana Sanaullah has confirmed that Azhar is under their 'protective custody' and assured of his arrest only if his involvement in the Pathankot attack was proved.