Author: IANS
Publication: The Times of India
Date: March 6, 2010
URL:
timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Shut-42-terror-camps-India-tells-Pakistan/articleshow/5651744.cms
Defence minister A K Antony on Saturday asked Pakistan to shut down 42 terrorist
camps he said were functioning in its territory if India-Pakistan talks were
to succeed.
"Pakistan has not made any serious attempt
to disband the camps that are functioning close to Jammu and Kashmir. The
decision for bilateral talks has been made consciously and it was not an ad
hoc one," Antony told reporters after inaugurating the new office complex
of the Coast Guard station at Vizhinjam near here.
"Though there was no breakthrough (in
the foreign secretary talks), being a conscious decision the process (of talks)
will continue," he added.
The minister said the central home ministry
and the Jammu and Kashmir government had evolved a formula to check infiltration
and help terrorists to return to normal life.
"Many have surrendered too. With the
conditions becoming normal, there is an increase in tourist arrivals in Kashmir.
Attempts for terrorist infiltration are there and the armed forces are maintaining
vigil on the border," he said.
On the US supply of arms to Pakistan, he said
Washington should make sure that the weapons were used against Islamist militants
on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and not targeted at India.
He denied that the government had any information
that the Chinese were covertly helping Indian Maoists.
"The army will give logistic support
to the state police (of Maoist-affected states). Paramilitary forces will
be used for training the state police," said Antony.
He said the acquisition of defence equipments
and aircraft had increased considerably in the past five years.
"The process for acquiring the Kiev-class
aircraft, Admiral Gorshkov, from Russia is in the final stage," added
Antony.
He said that after the 26/11 Mumbai terror
attack, the threat through sea had increased. The armed forces were engaged
in coordinated efforts to prevent similar attacks.
"One of the positive aspects is that
even fishermen have become alert and are giving valuable tip-offs to the (security)
forces," said Antony.
Ten Pakistani terrorists sneaked into Mumbai
in November 2008 by the sea and went on a killing spree over three days. They
slaughtered 166 Indians and foreigners.
