UK PM Theresa May speaks to Imran Khan; asks to take action against terror groups

She spoke to Khan on Sunday and highlighted the importance of Pakistan taking action against all terrorist groups.

IMAGE: Theresa May/AFP

New Delhi: British PM Theresa May called on Pakistani PM Imran Khan asking him to take strong action against terrorism. She spoke to Khan on Sunday and highlighted the importance of Pakistan taking action against all terrorist groups. As per reports, May welcomed the Pakistani premier’s claim of his resolve to reducing tensions following the return of captured Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman by the Pak authorities earlier this week. "The Prime Minister spoke to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan today. She welcomed his commitment to reducing tensions with India, and the return of Wing Commander Abhinandan", a Downing Street spokesperson said. May emphasised the importance of Pakistan taking action against all terrorist groups in support of global efforts to combat terrorism. Theresa May’s phone call to Khan comes after heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following a terrorist attack in Pulwama district of Jammu Kashmir led by Pakistan-based JeM and the series of incidents following up from there. After the Pulwama attack, the Indian Air Force carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, Pakistan retaliated with a large air formation, comprising 24 fighter jets, including F-16s. Varthaman, who was in one of the eight MiG-21s that took on the invading Pakistan Air Force jets and shot down an F-16, was released at the Wagah border on Friday. The UK government has repeatedly called for a de-escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan since the Pulwama attack. During an urgent question in the House of Commons on Wednesday, UK Foreign Office minister Mark Field had told MPs that the UK would continue to support a listing of Jaish-e-Mohammed and its leader, Masood Azhar, under a UN Security Council Resolution.