Insisting that all options are open on dealing with terrorism emanating from Pakistan, government on Sunday said nobody should think that India is "helpless" and asserted that the menace would be confronted with "courage and fortitude".
Speaking at a conclave of Congress district and block level office-bearers here, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee cautioned against linking the problem of terrorism to any religion.
"Perpetrators of (Mumbai) terror attacks must be punished. Nobody should think that this country is helpless and cannot tackle the situation arising out of terrorism," Mukherjee said.
"I repeat all options are open," he added at the conclave which was attended by Congress President Sonia Gandhi.
In a veiled attack on the opposition parties which have accused the Congress-led government of soft-pedalling terrorism for minority appeasement, he said, "I must utter a word of caution, if not warning, for those elements which try to misrepresent this issue.... (who say) that this act concerns a particular religion."
He asserted that terrorism would be fought with "courage and fortitude".
{{/usCountry}}He asserted that terrorism would be fought with "courage and fortitude".
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