Exerting continuous diplomatic pressure on Pakistan after the Mumbai attack, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said Islamabad should hand over all the terrorists sought by New Delhi and take concrete steps against elements spreading terror in India.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of inauguration ceremony of Sagardihi College at Behrampore in Murshidabad, Mukherjee said: “Pakistan has to hand over those using its soil to spread terror in India and award exemplary punishment to those directly involved in the Mumbai attacks on November 26.” The minister said that the Indian government has put forth two demands to Pakistan that include handing over the criminals who have committed crime in India and sought refuge in Pakistan, and bringing to book those guilty of terrorist activities against India. Pakistan has promised India on two occasions — the then President Pervez Musharraf in January 2004, and President Asif Ali Zardari in September — that it will not allow Pakistani soil to be used for any terror activity against India. He also said that initiatives like Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism with Pakistan have not moved much beyond the discussion table. The minister added that terrorism should not be linked to any religion and there is nothing like Islamic terrorism.
