Take action against terror: Pranab to Pak
Stepping up the pressure on Pakistan, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee today asked Islamabad to deliver results by acting against terrorists who masterminded the attack on Mumbai. See special
Stepping up the pressure on Pakistan, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee Sunday asked Islamabad to deliver results by acting against terrorists who masterminded the attack on Mumbai.
"Pakistan should deliver results. Words must be followed by action," Mukherjee said at a function in Kolkata.
He termed as "not really convincing" the arguments put forth by Pakistan leaders that their country's soil was not being used for subversive activities against India.
On Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's comment that the Mumbai terrorists were "non-state actors", Mukherjee said: "Non-state actors do not come from heaven or some other planet. They operate from somewhere. Their (Pakistan) government has to take care about it."
Mukherjee said India could not be expected to chase "non-state actors" operating on foreign soil.
He also demanded that Pakistan hand over terrorists sought by India for interrogation.
"We want them to cooperate... There are some fugitives who are Indian citizens but have taken shelter in Pakistan. They should be handed over to India."
"Again, there are some Pakistani citizens who are involved in terrorist activities targeting India, they are also needed to be handed over to India for interrogation. They should be arrested and handed over to India," Mukherjee said.
Mukherjee then punched holes in Pakistan's stand on the Mumbai savagery, which left over 170 people dead Nov 26-29. Islamabad denies any of the terrorists killed or caught in Mumbai were Pakistanis.
"First, the Pakistani defence minister said that (Jaish-e-Mohammed chief) Masood Azhar has been put under house arrest. Then they said he is not visible. If he is not visible, then how was he arrested?"
He added that India has given to Pakistan evidence regarding the involvement of terrorists in that country "not once, not twice, not thrice but on 10 occasions".
"We have the evidences, including interceptions and cracking of satellite codes," he said.
Referring to the confessions of Muhammed Ajmal Amir Kasab, the only terrorist arrested during the Mumbai attack, Mukherjee said: "He has provided details of what transpired between them and their controllers on the other side (of the border)."
He demanded that Pakistan pursue the evidences and take action against terrorists as per their country's law and stop use of their soil for subversive activities against India.