The Pathankot attack was another example of the inexcusable terrorism that India has endured for too long… We join India in condemning the attack, saluting the Indians who fought to prevent more loss of life. BARACK OBAMA, US President
WASHINGTON: Ter ming the Pathankot terror strike as another example of the inexcusable terrorism that India had endured for too long, US President Barack Obama on Sunday demanded that Pakistan delegitimise and dismantle terrorist networks operating from its territory.
In a tough message, Obama said Pakistan “can and must” take more effective action against terrorist groups, emphasising that “there must be zero tolerance for safe havens and terrorists must be brought to justice”.
“Pakistan has an opportunity to show that it is serious about delegitimising, disrupting and dismantling terror networks,” Obama told PTI in an interview during which he answered questions on Indo-US ties, terrorism and the Paris climate summit.
Obama gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reaching out to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif after the Pathankot attack and said “both leaders are advancing a dialogue on how to confront violent extremism and terrorism across the region”.
Seven security men were killed when a group of suspected Pakistani militants laid siege to an airbase in Pathankot in the first week of the year.
Saying the Indo-US relationship could be one of the defining partnerships of the century, Obama said Modi shared his enthusiasm for a strong relationship and “we have developed a friendship and close working relationship, including our conversations on the new secure lines between our offices”. Asked if the relationship had achieved its potential, the President said, “Absolutely not.” On the Pathankot attack, he said, “We join India in condemning the attack, saluting the Indians who fought to prevent more loss of life and extending our condolences to the victims and their families.
“Tragedies like this also underscore why the US and India continue to be such close partners in fighting terrorism.”
Obama was of the view that Sharif recognised that insecurity in Pakistan was a threat to his country’s stability and that of the region. After the December 2014 school massacre he had vowed to target all militants. “That is the right policy. Since then, we have seen Pakistan take action against several specific groups. We have also seen continued terrorism inside Pakistan such as the recent attack on the university in northwest Pakistan.”
“Pakistan can and must” take more effective action against terrorist groups that operate from its territory, he said.
Pak must dismantle terror network: US
Washington, January 24
Terming the Pathankot terror strike as “another example of the inexcusable terrorism that India has endured for too long”, US President Barack Obama today demanded of Pakistan that it “delegitimise, disrupt and dismantle” terrorist networks that operate from its territory.In a tough message, Obama said that Pakistan “can and must’ take more effective action against terrorist groups based there, emphasising that “there must be zero tolerance for safe havens and terrorists must be brought to justice”. “Pakistan has an opportunity to show that it is serious about delegitimising, disrupting and dismantling terror networks,” Obama said in an interview here during which he answered a wide range of questions covering Indo-US ties, terrorism and outcome of the Paris climate change summit.Obama gave credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for reaching out to his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif after the Pathankot attack and said, “both leaders are advancing a dialogue on how to confront violent extremism and terrorism across the region”. — PTI