Livid over recent killing of five Indian jawans by the Pakistani troops, 40 retired chiefs of Army and intelligence agencies issued a joint statement on Friday seeking an immediate suspension of talks with the neighbouring country.

Addressing a Press conference, they cautioned the Government not to be in haste in its bids to continue peace dialogue with the hostile neighbour. They also asked the Government to be careful about the intentions of the newly elected Pakistan Government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif which after assuming power in June this year had claimed that improving ties with India was its top priority.

“It’s time for the Government to adopt a new bilateral policy which will impose costs on Pakistan for abetting terrorism,” said former deputy National Security Advisor Satish Chandra talking to reporters.

Chandra said, “India should not be afraid of nuclear blackmail by Pakistan as it is also a nuclear power.”

Former IB chief Ajit Doval lashed out at Pakistani Government for not handing over the fugitives who have taken refuge on their soil.

Former Army chiefs General Shankar Roy Chowdhury and General NC Vij, former Air chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, former Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral KK Nayyar, former Secretaries R&AW AK Verma and CD Sahay, former IB director Ajit Doval, former Home Secretaries Anil Baijal and Dhirendra Singh, Former Foreign Secretaries MK Rasgotra and Kanwal Sibal, former MEA Secretary JC Sharma were among those who endorsed the demand to halt dialogue with Pakistan.