Pulwama attack: Pakistan denies link, China's stand unchanged on Jaish mastermind Masood Azhar

Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish has claimed the Pulwama attack, in which at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred and several others injured on Thursday.

China is the only nation which had blocked India's efforts to list Azhar as the UN designated terrorist.

Denying any link with the deadly terrorist attack in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, Pakistan said the incident is a "matter of grave concern".

Rejecting any of its links to the attack, Pakistan said: "We have always condemned heightened acts of violence in the Valley. We strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the State of Pakistan without investigations."

Pakistan's response came after India slammed its neighbouring country following the attack, which was claimed by Pak-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

"This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by Government of Pakistan to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under the control of Pakistan and to carry out attacks in India and elsewhere with impunity," said India in a statement.

India takes bold steps against Pakistan:

India announced some bold steps against Pakistan within 24 hours since the attack on the north Indian state left the nation shocked.

India on Friday scrapped Pakistan's Most Favoured Nation Status and also said it will initiate steps to isolate Pakistan.

After concluding the Cabinet Panel meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said: "We will isolate Pakistan."

Warning the neighbouring country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: "Pakistan has done a big blunder. They will have to pay a huge price. Whoever is guilty will get punishment."

He also urged all political parties to be united by shedding their differences.

"India is one and lets fight it together," the Prime Minister said.

On Friday, Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale  summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Sohail Mahmood over the Pulwama attack incident. He was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs at 1400 hrs and issued a "very strong demarche" in connection with the terrorist attack.

"He (Foreign Secretary) conveyed that 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," sources told UNI news agnecy.

Other countries condemn attack:

Different countries, including US and France, condemned the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama city on Thursday.

The US State Department said the government is committed to working with the Indian government to combat terrorism in all its forms.

"Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Muhammad has claimed responsibility for this heinous act. We call on all countries to uphold their responsibilities pursuant to UN Security Council resolutions to deny safe haven and support for terrorists," read the statement issued by the US government.

Alexandre Ziegler, the French ambassador in Delhi, tweeted: "France most firmly condemns the heinous attack perpetrated in Jammu & Kashmir. Our thoughts go out to the families of the fallen soldiers. France has always been and always will be by India’s side in the fight against terrorism in all its forms.#Pulwama #KashmirTerrorAttack." 

Kashmir: Horrifying Thursday leaves nation shocked

Militants rammed an IED-laden vehicle into a vehicle carrying CRPF at Goripora, Awantipora on Thursday afternoon.

According to reports, the vehicle used by the terrorists was a Mahindra Scorpio and it carried more than 350 kg of explosives.

The attack left 14 CRPF jawans injured.