Sharif makes threatening N-sounds

ISLAMABAD, MAY 27: Pakistan today warned that peace in the world's newest nuclear region was at risk and Sharif's ominous message to the ...

ISLAMABAD, MAY 27: Pakistan today warned that peace in the world8217;s newest nuclear region was at risk and Sharif8217;s ominous message to the nation boomed in tandem with Indian Howitzers across the border: quot;Last year8217;s nuclear tests has given Pakistan the confidence to counter any enemy attack8217;quot;.

quot;They people are confident for the first time in their history that in the eventuality of an armed attack they will be able to meet it on equal terms,quot; the prime minister said.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Information Minister Mushahid Hussein told reporters in Islamabad this evening 8220;India has grossly violated our territorial space and it is a threat to peace in the region.8221; He urged UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to send a special envoy to the region to defuse the tension.

Hussein said he thought one reason for the air strikes was domestic politics. 8220;I would say that the hawks in the Indian establishment want to take advantage of India8217;s internal political instability and use that for both election purposes and to divert attention away from India8217;s serious and grave political crisis,8221; he said.

Pakistan today also lodged a protest with the UN observers group in India and Pakistan UNMOGIP over the Indian airstrikes against militants in Kargil sector of Kashmir saying the Indian action posed a threat to Pakistani areas and border posts.

quot;We have lodged a protestquot; with the UNMOGIP, Director General of Inter Services Public Relations ISPR brig Rashid Qureshi was quoted as saying during an exclusive briefing for Pakistani media here this evening.

Qureshi said at least 10 bombs had landed on the Pakistani side of LoC during the air strikes and although there were no casualties quot;the air strikes were a threat to Pakistani areas and hence we reserve the right to retaliate.quot;

Story continues below this ad

Official APP agency quoted him as saying that Pakistan would defend its positions. quot;It should be very very clear that we will defend every inch of our territory.quot;

The Indian action involving for the first time fighter aircraft and gunship helicopters quot;is an escalation and if they continue Pakistan cannot keep quiet,quot; he said.