The Hindu : An act of frustration: Fernandes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 16, 2002

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An act of frustration: Fernandes

By Our Correspondent

The Defence Minister, George Fernandes, with the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, and the Army corps commander, V.G. Patankar, at the Raj Bhavan in Srinagar on Wednesday. — Photo: Nissar Ahmad

JAMMU MAY 15. Tuesday's suicide attack at Kaluchak in Jammu was an act of frustration of the Pakistani leadership and the situation called for punishing the sponsors of terrorism in the State, the Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said here today.

Speaking to the media at the Chief Minister's residence, Mr. Fernandes said the countries allied in the fight against terrorism must adopt a clear policy and no double standards would work if they really wanted to end the menace of terrorism. ``The global allies to fight terrorism have to realise that terrorism is terrorism, whether it is in Afghanistan or in Jammu. India is an active member of the global alliance formed against terrorism and we provide logistical support to the alliance. Therefore, the alliance should help us by asking Pakistan to desist from sponsoring terrorism in India.''

Mr. Fernandes said the attack in which women and children were killed would not go unpunished. But, he added, ``what kind of punishment it will be is to be deliberated soon''. About the demand from several quarters for opening a military front against Pakistan for abetting terrorism in the country, he said, ``the Army does not act in emotions and we will do whatever is required keeping the situation in mind''. But he ruled out a war in the immediate future. ``The morale of the Army is high and we will fight the menace of terrorism which we have been doing successfully for the last 12 years''.

Asked about his interview to a foreign daily where he had been quoted as saying, ``the way the situation is building in the State it seems that we are heading towards a war with Pakistan'', Mr. Fernandes replied in the affirmative. But he clarified that an appropriate stand would be taken in the course of time. Asked to give details of the punishment, he said, ``Until the Assembly elections in the State are over we will not do anything''.

Mr. Fernandes said the terrorists seemed to have devised a new plan to attack the families of Army personnel. Hence, security for Army residential areas situated along the international border and other sensitive places would be strengthened.

Earlier, the Defence Minister, along with the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, and the GoC 16 Corps. J.V.S. Yadava, visited the Kaluchak camp. He also visited the military hospital. He was briefed by security officers about the steps planned to prevent the recurrence of such an incident. He then left for Srinagar to take part in the oath ceremony of the new Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

Jammu city observed a bandh today called by all parties against the terrorist attack. The administration had ordered the closure of all educational institutions. Shops and establishments too remained closed.

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