'Disappointed, hardly surprised,' says MEA responding to Pakistan's preliminary findings on Pulwama terror attack dossier

A day after Imran Khan-led Pakistan government shared with the Indian government the preliminary findings after the examination of the dossier containing details of involvement of JeM in Pulwama terror attack, Minister of External Affairs has responded to the neighbouring country's finding expressing disappointment. 

"India is disappointed at Pakistan’s response to our detailed dossier on the Jaish-e-Mohammed’s complicity in the cross-border terror attack in Pulwama, the presence of its terror camps and leadership in Pakistan," MEA said speaking to news agency ANI.

Even as India handed over a detailed dossier to Pakistan, the Imran Khan government on Wednesday said in a press statement seeking more 'credible evidence' without which it ceased to go ahead with the investigation in the matter.

Later adding that it is 'hardly surprised' with Pakistan's response during earlier terror attacks in India, MEA reiterated that it is a well-known fact that JeM chief Masood Azhar is based in Pakistan.

"Hardly surprised, as this script was followed by Pakistan in past, after the terror attacks in Mumbai in 2008 or in Pathankot in 2016. It is a well-known fact that Masood Azhar is based in Pakistan. He was again acknowledged recently to international media by Pakistan Foreign Minister," MEA added.

On Wednesday, Pakistan released a statement on the Pulwama dossier in which Pakistan PM Imran Khan had called for 'credible evidence' by India in order to offer 'cooperation in investigation. 

"The Prime Minister of Pakistan had offered cooperation in investigation if credible evidence was provided by India. In response to this offer, a paper was handed over to Pakistan on February 27, 2019. Pakistan has acted with high sense of responsoibility and extended full cooperation. We do so in the interest of regional peace and security. We have sought further information/evidence from India to take the process forward,"  the press statement read. 

As per the MEA statement from February, the dossier that was handed over to Pakistan on February 27 contained all the specific details of JeM complicity in Pulwama terror attack and the presence of JeM terror camps and its leadership in Pakistan.

READ: PAK SHAM: Imran Khan Government Shares Preliminary Findings On Pulwama Terror Attack With India, Says Won't Proceed Till Further Evidence Is Shared