The Bharatiya Janata Party on Tuesday responded to Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Maulana Masood Azhar’s threats of retaliation if Pakistan cracks down on terror groups operating against India. The party, which leads the central government, said that Masood's words do not warrant any attention, and that Pakistan should crack down on terrorist elements on its soil.

“What Masood Azhar is saying is not important. What is important is the attitude and policy with which India is combating terrorism,” BJP spokesperson and Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told ANI.

Azhar, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the attacks on the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot, wrote in a Peshawar-based jihadi magazine, al-Qalam, that his “army loves death”. He also warned Pakistan of dangerous consequences if any action is taken against anti-India elements. He directed a warning to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as well for engaging in a dialogue with Indian counterpart Narendra Modi.