Government condemns attack on Indian airforce base
The South African government on Thursday condemned the past weekend’s attack on an Indian air force base near the country’s border with Pakistan.
Indian forces shot dead six gunmen who stormed the airbase in Pathankot. Seven Indian soldiers were killed in the gunfight.
“The South African Government condemns the recent armed attack on the Air Force Base in Pathankot, India, and wishes to express its condolences to the families of the victims whose lives were lost during the attack,” said international relations department spokesman Nelson Kgwete.
“The attack by heavily armed gunmen took place on 2 January 2016 on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, resulting in the death of security personnel and the attackers.”
Indian authorities believed rebel groups that were operating from Pakistan were behind the attack. Pakistan was investigating.
The South African government urged the two countries to not let the incident derail peace talks between the two neighbouring countries.
“Momentum has recently been built in efforts to enhance stability in the region through dialogue and cooperation and all parties are urged not to allow this event to interrupt or derail the dialogue process and the goodwill created through recent high level talks,” said Kgwete.
“South Africa, given its history, strongly believes that there is no alternative to dialogue and talks, in order to ensure that disputes are resolved peacefully.”
(File Photo: Gallo Images)