Uri Attack: Pakistan rubbishes India's allegations as "baseless and irresponsible"

A day after 17 soldiers were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Uri in the deadliest attack on the army by terrorists from across the border in recent years, Pakistan rubbished India's allegations as "baseless and irresponsible".

In a statement on Monday, Pakistan's foreign ministry said it noted "with serious concern the recent spate of vitriolic and unsubstantiated statements from the Indian civil and military leadership."

Minister of State For Home, Kiren Rijiju, responded: "Whether Pakistan accepts or denies doesn't really matter. We should not pay any attention to what Pakistan says."

Pakistan's denial came as India's top leadership held a series of meetings to discuss a response to the latest attack.

India has directly blamed Pakistan for the pre-dawn strike in which terrorists sneaked into the Uri army base, threw grenades and opened fire. The attack took place during a change of command, when two regiments were present at the base and many soldiers were in tents. Most of the soldiers were burnt alive when their tents caught fire in the grenade attack.

While Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned that "those behind the despicable attack will not go unpunished," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said: "Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be identified and isolated as such."

Today, junior defence minister Subhash Bhamre said: "Let's be sure, a befitting reply will be given."

Islamabad in its statement has also alleged a "blatant attempt on India's part to deflect attention from the fast deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation" in Kashmir since the death of Burhan Wani.

New Delhi has accused Pakistan of inciting the violent protests in Kashmir in which around 80 people have been killed and 10,000 civilians and security personnel injured since July 8, when Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani was killed.