Pak terror tap on, no troop cut in J-K

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today ruled out any withdrawal of troops from the Jammu and Kashmir border ...

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today ruled out any withdrawal of troops from the Jammu and Kashmir border until Pakistan keeps its committment of not allowing terrorists to operate from its soil.

Speaking at a convention against terrorism organised by the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC), Mukherjee accused Pakistan of double standards in curbing terrorism. ‘‘While Pakistan is bombing Taliban hideouts in Waziristan, it is allowing 39 launching pads to operate in PoK from where terrorist activities are being carried out against India,’’ he alleged.

‘‘Terrorists are not coming to India from Mars or Siberia. They are coming from the other side of the border,’’ Mukherjee accused.

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The Defence Minister accused Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf of backtracking on his earlier promise. ‘‘He had said he would not allow Pakistani soil to be used for terrorist activities against India,’’ he reminded. ‘‘We have urged him to dislodge terrorist camps and stop giving logistic support to the terrorists,’’ Mukherjee added.

He pointed out that since Pakistan could not take over Kashmir even after the wars in 1947, 1965, 1971 and the Kargil intrusion in 1999, it was following a policy of ‘‘let India bleed through a thousand scars’’. The attacks on Parliament, Akshardham, Raghunath and Sankatmochan temples, the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and the recent blasts in Mumbai only reconfirms the fact.

Mukherjee also dismissed the BJP’s allegation that the Mumbai blasts were a result of a security lapse. ‘‘The terrorist attack on Parliament happened when they were in power,’’ said Mukherjee. He said the terrorists wanted to instill fear and destabilise the democratic framework. ‘‘They strike irrespective of whichever government is at power,’’ said Mukherjee.