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Cross-border terrorism unabated: Fernandes

By Luv Puri

Jammu June 9. The Defence Minister, George Fernandes, said today that Pakistan had not responded to India's peace initiative with sincerity, as its involvement in crossborder terrorism remained ``unabated and crystal clear''.

Addressing reporters here after visiting forward locations in the border belt of Jammu, he said the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, had shown an ``open heart'' by extending his hand of friendship to Pakistan as ``we desire peace''. But, on the contrary ``our neighbour has not reciprocated the peace initiative with the utmost sincerity of approach", he said.

He said several reports spoke of a ``massive crackdown'' on militant groups across the border, but the ``real facts which I have gathered from the ground commanders is that the training camps continue to flourish in various parts of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Terrorists continue to be trained to bleed India and make life miserable for the people of Jammu and Kashmir''.

Asking Pakistan's leadership to be ``sincere in its efforts'', Mr. Fernandes said that India still believed in peace and had taken several positive steps. Now the ball was in Pakistan's court to crack down on the terrorist camps and stop the inflow of militants into Indian territory. Pakistan had to put a stop to infiltration for resumption of any dialogue, he said.

About the possibility of these militants acting independently, he said, facts spoke for themselves. People on the ground knew about the involvement of the Pakistan Army. ``Firing at the Line of Control continues to provide cover to the terrorists sneaking into Indian territory".

"I feel very unhappy that though several weeks have passed since the Prime Minister extended his hand of friendship, cross border terrorism continues", he said.

Commenting on the security situation in the State, he said the Army was conducting several operations in various remote corners to flush out the militants.

In a specific reference to the ``Sarp Vinash'' Operation being carried out in the Surankote hills of Jammu, he said that reports linking it to a Kargil-type intrusion were ``a figment of imagination''.

Anybody familiar with the terrain of the place would know the security situation. The Army always kept on carrying operations in the State. ``As this is a war being waged against us we continue to carry out operations against the militants who have occupied any territory", he said. Describing the fencing operations on the LoC as a key to stopping infiltration, he said they would help plug infiltration.

He said that since the new government had taken over reports pointed to an improvement in the governance and other related issues.

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