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No military action but Pakistan
must act against terror: Antony
New
Delhi, Dec 16 (IANS) Defence Minister A.K. Antony Tuesday
ruled out military action against Pakistan but said bilateral
relations would not be normal until Islamabad takes action
against terrorists operating from its soil.
"We
are not planning any military action... but at the same time
unless Pakistan takes actions against those terrorists who
are operating from their soil against India and also against
all those who are behind the Mumbai terrorist attack, things
will not be normal," he said.
The
minister was speaking to reporters at the India Gate monument
here after laying a wreath on the occasion of Vijay Diwas
that marks the 37th anniversary of the Indian victory over
Pakistan.
The
comments come amid mounting international pressure on Pakistan
to act against terrorists widely believed to be linked to
the Mumbai terror attack.
“I
cannot say what course of action we will take but, unless
Pakistan shows sincerity in whatever they are saying through
their actions, one thing is very sure - that there is no question
of things as usual," said Antony.
Antony
also said the armed forces were prepared for any eventuality.
The three forces are on "high alert" following hightened
tensions between the two neighbours in the wake of the Mumbai
terror strike, which left over 170 dead and over 300 injured.
"Everything
is normal because our forces are always ready."
He
also denied revoking the ceasefire in place between India
and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) since 2003.
Two
days ago, Pakistan alleged that Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter
jets intruded into its territory in two sectors, a charge
denied by India. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari later
Sunday toned down the allegation by calling it a “technical
intrusion”.
Antony
was accompanied by the three service chiefs - Admiral Sureesh
Mehta, General Deepak Kapoor and Air Chief Marshal Fali H.
Major.
Indo-Asian
News Service
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