ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday dismissed the “knee-jerk” allegation by a senior Indian official that militants who killed five Indian soldiers in Srinagar were from Pakistan.

In a press release issued Wednesday, it strongly rejected the remarks made by Indian Home Secretary RK Singh alleging that “prime facie evidence suggests that the militants who attacked the members of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were from across the border, they were probably from Pakistan”.

The rebuttal comes as militants disguised as cricketers killed five Indian paramilitary police earlier in the day in an ambush in the main city of Indian-administered Kashmir.

The local Hizbul Mujahideen group claimed responsibility for the attack in Srinagar’s Bemina district.

The Pakistan Foreign Office also rejected earlier statements made by the Indian defence minister accusing Pakistani military commandos of beheading Indian soldiers near the Kashmir border.

“Pakistan also rejects the statement made by Defence Minister AK Antony in the Rajya Sabha accusing the Special Services Group of Pakistan Army of beheading two Indian soldiers on the Line of Control on January 08, 2013,” added the press release.

The Foreign Office further warned that such a “trend of making irresponsible statements and knee-jerk reactions by senior Indian Government functionaries” could undermine efforts by the two neighbours to normalise relations.

It said Pakistan “remains committed to discussing and resolving all outstanding issues with India through a meaningful dialogue.”