Pulwama Attack: Pakistan recalls its High Commissioner to India for "consultations"

India on Friday summoned the Pakistan High Commissioner to issue a very strong demarche over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and asked Islamabad to take "immediate and verifiable action" against the terror group.

New Delhi: Pakistan on Monday called back its High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood from India, who had been called here for questioning after the deadly Pulwama attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 40 Indian Soldiers. The same was declared by Mohammad Faisal, the spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs in Pakistan, who wrote on his Twitter that “We have called back our High Commissioner in India for consultations. He left New Delhi this morning.” India on Friday summoned the Pakistan High Commissioner to issue a very strong demarche over the Pulwama terror attack carried out by Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and asked Islamabad to take "immediate and verifiable action" against the terror group. Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale summoned Pakistan HC to India Sohail Mahmood to his South Block office, and issued a very strong demarche over the killing of the CRPF soldiers, the sources said. Pakistan must take "immediate and verifiable action" against the JeM and that it must immediately stop any groups or individuals associated with terrorism operating from its territories, Gokhale told the envoy. The Foreign Secretary also rejected the statement made by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

We have called back our HIgh Commissioner in India for consultations. He left New Delhi this morning .

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) February 18, 2019

Reacting to the Pulwama attack, Pakistan had said it was "a matter of grave concern" and strongly rejected Indian media and government's allegations of its role in the strike "without" a probe. JeM has claimed responsibility for the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday that left at least 40 CRPF soldiers dead and many others critically wounded.