Sunday, January 11, 2009

If Pak doesn’t get ’em , India will: Antony

NEW DELHI: A day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh directly blamed Pakistan’s state agencies for having masterminded 26/11, ratcheted up the campaign against the neighbouring country by alleging that it had refused to take any step to dismantle the terror infrastructure operating from its soil.

That being the case, he warned, India would be left with no choice, but to examine all options to ensure that this terror infrastructure was demolished.

`There is no serious attempt to dismantle terror outfits working across the border. This is our major worry,’’ Mr Antony told reporters on the sidelines of a function here on Wednesday, in a clear indication of a hardening of posture on behalf of the Centre in the face of mounting evidence suggesting Pakistan’s involvement in the jihadi attacks across the country.

`We will examine all the available , possible options,’’ he said without elaborating the point further. Further proof of Pakistan’s gameplan , Mr Antony, came from the enhanced infiltration levels from across the border. `` Even in winters, militants have infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir. It is biting cold now. Militants will step up infiltration into the northern state from now onwards. Summers will see heightened infiltration. So armed forces should remain vigilant,’’ the defence minister charged.

Observing that it was Pakistan’s duty to `` book’’ those people who supported terrorists during the Mumbai attacks on November 26 last, the defence minister asked Islamabad to dismantle the over 30 terror outfits working from its soil.

`To prevent the repetition of infiltration and terror incidents, two things needed to be done. Those people who gave inspiration, direction and support to the terrorists in the 26/11 attack on Mumbai should be booked. The over 30 terror outfits working from across the border should be dismantled. It is Pakistan’s duty,’’ Mr Antony asserted.

India, he said, was not going to any time-frame for Pakistan (to dismantle terror infrastructure). `` However , New Delhi expected the world to react on the evidences that was shared with them on the Mumbai attacks ,’’ the defence minister added.

`We have some evidence. Not only India, even some other countries have some evidence. We have shown this evidence to other countries . They world has to react to these evidence. I hope the world will react ,’’ he maintained.

Asked about the operation launched by the security forces against the militants holed up in Poonch, Mr Antony said he had discussed it with the three Services chiefs in the morning and that they were sure of flushing out the militants soon.

To another query, he said the armed forces had a plan and had worked out a strategy against the holed-up militants, but the basis approach was to minimise casualty within the security forces’ ranks.

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