J-K too covered under anti-terror mechanism, clarifies India

Making it clear that the Indo-Pak anti-terror mechanism derives its mandate from Pakistan8217;s three-year-old commitment...

Making it clear that the Indo-Pak anti-terror mechanism derives its mandate from Pakistan8217;s three-year-old commitment that it will not permit 8220;territory in its control to be used to support terrorism in any form8221;, India on Tuesday refuted Pakistan8217;s claim that Jammu and Kashmir was not covered under this mechanism. Further, India maintained that all terror information in the context of this commitment, which also relates to Pakistan occupied Kashmir, was exchanged at the October 22 meeting.

Denying The Indian Express report on Monday that India had for the first time been able to hand over a dossier on Kashmir-related terror incidents, Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson had said: 8220;The purview of talks under the Joint Anti Terrorism Mechanism does not cover Jammu and Kashmir, which is a disputed territory, and is being discussed under the Composite Dialogue process. The scope of discussions under the mechanism relates to the terrorist incidents in India and Pakistan.8221;

On Tuesday, India was quick to respond and indicate that information on terror attacks in J-K was indeed passed on at the October 22 meeting of this mechanism. 8220;Information relating to all terrorist attacks was discussed and exchanged in the context of Pakistan8217;s assurance of January 6, 2004 of not permitting territory in its control to be used to support terrorism in any form,8221; said the MEA Spokesperson in response to a question.

The January 6 commitment, it may be recalled, dealt specifically with the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control. In fact, it was this commitment by Islamabad8212;after both sides had come close to war during Operation Parakaram8212;that formed the basis for the peace process which continues till date.

Despite this, Pakistan had refused to discuss terror acts related to J-K at the first meeting of the mechanism in March this year saying it saw the violence as a result of a 8220;freedom struggle8221; by Kashmiris. However, at the October 22 meeting, the Pakistan did take back the dossiers on J-K though it remained evasive on changing its earlier interpretation.