The Hindu : India dismisses charges

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 09, 2002

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India dismisses charges

By Atul Aneja

NEW DELHI MAY 8 . India today dismissed as ``completely baseless'', the Pakistani insinuation about its involvement in the terrorist attack in Karachi this morning in which several French nationals were killed.

According to Nirupama Rao, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, these allegations are ``totally and completely baseless and, as usual, a shining example of Pakistani fabrication.'' These observations should be treated with the ``disdain that they deserve''. India was firmly against terrorism anywhere. To a question, she said this morning's terrorist incident points to the need for retaining a ``continued focus'' against terrorists, which include the remnants of the Al-Qaeda as well. ``We need to continue the struggle against terrorism until this scourge is completely eradicated''.

Sources said the French nationals killed in the incident were involved in the construction of the second of the three Agosta 90-B class submarines for Pakistan. The first of this submarine called Khalid was constructed in France. The second submarine is scheduled for delivery later this year while the construction of a third is planned for 2003. These submarines are state-of-the art as they are capable of firing missiles and have the ability to stay under water for long durations.

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