india

Updated: Apr 19, 2020 14:44 IST

Australia and France joined the European Union and China to call for restraint from India and Pakistan after Indian warplanes bombed a terrorist camp deep across the Line of Control. But both countries also asked Pakistan to enforce the ban on terror groups such as the Jaish and Lashkare-Toiba.

A spokesperson of the French Foreign Ministry said Paris recognises India’s legitimacy to ensure its security against cross-border terrorism and asked Pakistan to put an end to the operations of terrorist groups established on its territory. France also called upon India and Pakistan to exercise restraint to avert any risk of military escalation and preserve strategic stability in region.

In a statement hours after Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale announced the strike on a terror camp, Australia asked Pakistan to take “urgent and meaningful action against terrorist groups in its territory” including the Jaish-e-Mohammed which claimed responsibility for the attack on a CRPF convoy and the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

“Pakistan must do everything possible to implement its own proscription of Jaish-e-Mohammed. It can no longer allow extremist groups the legal and physical space to operate from its territory,” Australian foreign minister Marise Payne said in a statement.

Watch | We know how to defend ourselves: Pak President on IAF air strike

Australia also urged both sides to exercise restraint, avoid any action which would endanger peace and security in the region and engage in dialogue to ensure that these issues are resolved peacefully.

Also read | IAF air strikes across LoC: Nation in safe hands, says PM Narendra Modi

“These steps would make a substantial contribution to easing tensions and resolving the underlying causes of conflict,” the minister said.

Indian Air Force jets had targeted a terror camp where Pakistan-backed Jaish terrorists were preparing suicide attacks on its cities, India’s Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale said earlier in the day. He said a “very very large number” of terrorists from the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) group were killed in the strike.

Indian sources have told HT that the bombing was estimated to have eliminated 200-300 terror operatives.

Pakistani officials have confirmed Indian planes breached its airspace and dropped a payload over Balakot in the country’s northwest. But they have claimed that there was no damage or casualties.

Also read | Prepare for all eventualities, Pak PM Imran Khan to citizens after IAF strikes Jaish camp across LoC