Pathankot terror attack: Pakistan in denial over JeM chief's arrest

Islamabad: The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it has no information about the arrest of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar in connection with the recent Pathankot terror attack. ‘I am not aware of such arrest,' said MOFA spokesperson Khalilullah Qazi.

Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar. File pics

He, however, said the two governments remain in touch in this regard and added that India and Pakistan are in contact to firm up the date for the meeting of the two Foreign Secretaries. Qazi 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," he added.

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

The reports also suggested that a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was informed on Wednesday that offices of JeM that allegedly conducted Pathankot attack were secretly operating in four cities of Punjab.

The offices had reportedly been sealed in Bahwalnagar, Bahawalpur, Multan and Muzafargarh cities and the suspected members of the group were also held, top officials briefed Sharif.