Pak PM consults army chief ahead of UNGA address

From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Sep 21 (PTI) Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hasheld a telephonic conversation with Pakistan’s powerful armychief General Raheel Sharif ahead of his speech at the UN inwhich he is expected to raise the Kashmir issue, amid signs hemay tone down his rhetoric to reduce tensions with India. An official from the Prime Minister’s Office said the twolast night discussed the situation in Kashmir and tenserelations with India after the terrorist attack on an Indianarmy camp in Uri on Sunday in which 18 soldiers were killed. Sharif had a plan to forcefully highlight the Kashmirviolence, but the scenario changed after Uri terrorist attackwhich spotlighted the issue of cross-border militancy. "The prime minister might strike a balance in his speech.He would talks about the Indian atrocities in Kashmir but alsowould be conciliatory to end tension," said the official. Sharif may also offer proposals to address the Kashmirissue, including emphasis on implementing UN resolutions andthe mediatory role of the international community. No statement was issued after the talks between the twoSharifs, which was their first contact since the Uri attack. Geo TV reported that the conversation between the twoleaders shows that the situation after Uri attack was serious. The Uri incident was one of the deadliest attacks onIndian Army in recent years, as heavily-armed terroristsstormed a battalion headquarters of the force. Four militants involved in the terror strike were killed. India’s DGMO Lt Gen Ranbir Singh has said the four killedwere foreign terrorists and had carried with them items whichhad Pakistani markings and that initial reports indicated thatthey belonged to Pakistan-based Jaish-E-Mohammed group. Sharif is poised to address the 71st UNGA session in NewYork later today. PTI SHABH