US warning reports baseless, says Pakistan envoy

Pakistan ambassador to the US Jalil Abbas Jilani denounced Indian media reports which alleged a warning, concerning President Obama's visit to India, was issued by the US to the former.

"The Indian media has a tendency to invent and exaggerate things," said Ambassador Jilani, Dawn reported Tuesday.

"As a matter of fact, US Secretary of State John Kerry, who visited Islamabad last week, had deeply appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan against terrorism and extremism."

Jilani said Pakistan has already launched a major military operation in north Waziristan and was also taking similar actions in other parts of the country.

"These actions are meant to purge our country of all such elements. These actions are also in pursuance of our policy not to allow anyone to use our territory against other countries," he added.

An Indian news agency reported from Washington: "Pakistan has been subtly warned of the consequences of any terrorist attack during President Obama's trip if that is traced back to their country."

Another report from Islamabad claimed that "hours after receiving the warning, Pakistan assured the US" that no such attack would take place.

Quoting unnamed "sources" in Washington, the news agency said that the warning was issued "keeping the track record of Pakistan-based militant groups that have carried out attacks in India coinciding with high-profile visits from the US".

Diplomatic sources in Washington, however, view these reports as part of a propaganda war aimed at scoring points before President Obama's visit.

"It is a strange warning. It seems as if the Americans are saying it is 'ok' to carry out attacks before and after the president's visit. Just don't do it while he is there," said a diplomatic source.

President Barack Obama arrives in India Jan 25 for a three-day visit during which he would attend the Republic Day parade Jan 26 as the chief guest and in the evening he would attend a reception hosted by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.