Powell, Straw issue a joint warning note to Pakistan

Apparently piqued by India’s strong attack on double standards in combating terrorism, the US and UK today sent a tough message to Pakistan asking it to ‘‘strictly respect’’ the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, stop infiltration and discourage acts of violence by militants there.

A joint statement issued by US Secretary of State Colin Powell and British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw put the onus on Pakistan to end cross-border terrorism while strongly condemning the massacre of 24 ‘‘innocent civilians’’ in Kashmir on Sunday.

‘‘Nothing can justify such a vicious and cowardly act,’’ they said in the joint statement. Differences between India and Pakistan can only be resolved through peaceful means and engagement,’’ it said.