Pathankot attack: Terror to be key issue in talks with Pakistan, says Javadekar

Talks with Pakistan will take place with terror as the key issue, union Minister Prakash Javadekar said hours after some unidentified terrorists attacked the Indian Air Force base near Punjab's Pathankot town early Saturday.

"As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is our neighbour. Talks will take place keeping terror as the key issue," he said. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a beginning, now it is Pakistan's turn to reciprocate."

Javadekar, the minister of state for environment, forest and climate change, however, also supported Home Minister Rajnath Singh's statement that India will give a "befitting response" to terror.

Condemning the terror attack, Javadekar said: "But the way our forces handled it is commendable... How they managed to enter is another issue, but as home minister said, we will give befitting reply to any such incident."

Four terrorists were killed while a combing operation to search for any more terrorist was being carried out till Saturday afternoon at the Pathankot. Two Indian security personnel also died in the attack, sources said.