Pak nationals convinced of 'army, ISI' role in Pathankot: Defence expert

Welcomes MEA's stand to help Pak SIT when it arrives in India

Asserting that Islamabad was under intense international pressure to hold talks with India, Defence matters expert PK Sehgal on Friday said that people in Pakistan are convinced that their Army and the ISI were involved in the Mazar-i-Sharif and Pathankot attacks.

Speaking to ANI, Sehgal said that it is good that talks were merely postponed and not cancelled or suspended.

"In any case the decision to hold the Foreign Secretary level talks is a good, sane and sensible decision. Had the talks been cancelled as against postponed then we would have played into the hands of those who are keen to derail the talks," he told ANI.

"Pakistan is under intense international pressure and pressure from its own people and media. The world over, including Pakistanis, are convinced that what happened in Mazar-e-Sharif and Pathankot, not only were the non state actors involved but also the Army and the ISI," he added.

He also welcomed Ministry of External Affairs' (MEA) stance to extend all help to Pakistan's special investigation team when it arrives in India.

"Under these circumstances, Pakistan's assurance, seems to have carried conviction with the MEA, they are satisfied with it thus far. Perhaps assurance has been given to government of India that Azhar Mehmood has been arrested, appropriate actions are in progress," he added.

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

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.

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.

"I am not aware of such arrest," said MOFA spokesperson Khalilullah Qazi.

He further said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

"Terrorism is a common threat and it is the collective responsibility of all countries to fight against it," Qazi added.

Reports earlier suggested that Pakistan's law enforcement agencies had yesterday arrested 12 suspects of the banned Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM), including its chief Masood Azhar, over links with the attack on Indian Air Force base in Pathankot.