Pakistan Must Get Rid of Its 'Terrorist Infrastructure': Modi

Indian PM Also Vows to Respond Strongly to Any Future Terror Attack

- 

NEW DELHI - Pakistan will have to get rid of its "terrorist infrastructure" if it wants to be "saved", India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on May 12, his first comments after a weekend ceasefire following days of military conflict between India and Pakistan.

"I will tell the global community also, if we talk to Pakistan, it will be about terrorism only... It will be about Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," Mr Modi said, referring to Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Mr Modi also vowed to respond strongly to any future "terrorist attack".

"If another terrorist attack against India is carried out, a strong response will be given," he said, adding New Delhi would not tolerate "nuclear blackmail" in the event of conflict.

The flare-up in violence began on May 7 after India hit what it said were "terrorist camps" in Pakistan in retaliation for a terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly Hindu tourists, in Kashmir on April 22.

India said the April 22 attack was backed by Pakistan, a charge that Islamabad denied.

Pakistan immediately responded to the strikes with heavy artillery fire. It claimed to have downed five Indian fighter jets, something New Delhi has not commented on.

The clashes ended on May 10, with US President Donald Trump announcing that India and Pakistan had agreed to a truce.

On May 12, hours before Mr Modi's public address, the military operations chiefs of India and Pakistan spoke by phone.