Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday authorised the country’s armed forces to respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure by India.

Khan issued the authorisation at a meeting of the National Security Committee in Islamabad which he headed.

The meeting was attended by the armed forces chiefs, heads of top intelligence agencies and key ministers. It discussed the national security environment and the situation arising from the Pulwama terror attack and made it clear that :the state of Pakistan is not involved in any way, means or form in the said incident”.

“The incident was conceived, planned and executed indigenously”, the NSC said.

“In this regard, Pakistan has sincerely offered investigation of the incident as well as the offer of dialogue on the issue of terrorism among other disputed issues”.

Khan said, “We expect India to positively respond to the offers. Based on the investigation or any tangible evidence provided, state of Pakistan shall take action against anyone found using our soil.”

However, he said India also needs deep introspection to realise why people of its side of Kashmir have lost the fear of death.

“The violence by Indian forces in Kashmir is highly counterproductive... The global community needs to play its part in resolving the long pending Kashmir issue in accordance with UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiris,” the NSC stressed.

The Prime Minister said that this is a new Pakistan and “we are determined to demonstrate to our people that the state is capable of protecting them and believes that monopoly of violence stays with state.”

“This will not come with commitment alone... We recognise that terrorism and extremism are the top issues in the region and the whole region including Pakistan have suffered.” Khan said Pakistan alone has endured over 70,000 casualties besides heavy loss to the national exchequer.