Pakistan on Thursday reacted angrily to India's call for the world community to pressure Islamabad to deliver on its commitment to crack down on terror groups, saying New Delhi should "explain" its alleged role in "sponsoring terrorism". Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said Pakistan had taken "strong exception" to Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao's reported remarks that the international community should put pressure on the country "to implement its stated commitment to deal with terror groups".

In a statement, Basit said the "international community is appreciative of Pakistan's actions and commitment to fight terrorism".

"Terrorism is a regional and global issue. In fact, India must explain its own conduct in sponsoring and abetting terrorism and militancy in our region," Basit said.

Basit's remarks were the latest in a series of claims by Pakistani officials that India is allegedly supporting terrorist groups, including the Taliban. India has dismissed these claims as baseless.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik and chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas have claimed in the past that Pakistani troops battling Taliban in South Waziristan have allegedly found Indian-made arms, ammunition and medical equipment.

These allegations were made after India accused Pakistan of not doing enough to crack down on groups involved in terrorist activities, including the Lashker-e-Toiba, which carried out the Mumbai attacks nearly a year ago.