Pathankot attack: No clarity yet whether JeM chief Masood Azhar is detained

Confusion prevailed over whether Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) chief Masood Azhar has been detained in connection with the Pathankot terror attack that led to deferring of Foreign Secretary-level talks for which Pakistan on Friday said new dates were being worked out.

Punjab province Law Minister Rana Sanaullah told Dawn News on Thursday night that Azhar, believed to be the mastermind behind the attack on the Air Force base in Pathankot, has been taken into "protective custody" and that he is not arrested. However, the federal government has not confirmed Azhar's detention.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz said Pakistan and India are working on finalising new dates soon for the Foreign Secretary-level talks.

On Thursday, both the countries agreed mutually to defer the talks that were to take place here today. They have agreed to hold the parleys in the "very near future".

India has sought action by Pakistan on the evidence provided for apprehending the JeM terrorists suspected to have been involved in the January 2 attack. India has linked the fate of the talks to action by Pakistan.

Officials said on Friday police raided and sealed a religious seminary operated by JeM in Sialkot town near the Indian border. The raid was launched by Punjab's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), one of its officials said.

"No arrest was made but some books, CDs and copies of national identity cards of some suspects were confiscated," he said.