International

Pakistan calls it an 'act of terrorism'

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD May 21. Pakistan tonight gave two different reactions to the assassination of Mr. Abdul Gani Lone. First, it accused ``operatives of Indian intelligence agencies'' of killing him and later modified it to say that it was an act of ``terrorism''.

The assassination was the main item of the nine-O clock Pakistan Television news bulletin.

Immediately after the announcement, the Additional Secretary in the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, Kamram Naiz, told PTV that Mr. Lone's murder was yet another instance of the ``continuing reign of terror unleashed'' by Indian forces in Kashmir. However, he did not mention it as an operation of the Indian intelligence agencies.

While strongly condemning what he termed as the cold-blooded murder of Mr. Lone, he said ``it may be recalled that only last month he had been assaulted by a Shiv Sena leader in Indian occupied Kashmir''. Another press release which followed merely said: ``Pakistan expresses its deep shock and sorrow over the news of the assassination of Mr. Abdul Gani Lone, a veteran Kashmiri leader of the APHC. We condemn this act of terrorism. The Government of Pakistan conveys its condolences to the bereaved family and demands an impartial inquiry into the incidence. The perpetrators of this crime must be apprehended and brought to justice.''

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