Terrorist groups still active in Pak: Antony

Fresh attempts to revive militancy in the Kashmir Valley as was clear from the recent terrorist attack in Srinagar, have highlighted the threat of terrorist groups trying to cross over from PoK.

Voicing concern over reports that a large number of militants from PoK were waiting to cross the LoC into Kashmir, Defence Minister A K Antony on Jan 9 said almost all terrorist groups were "still active" in Pakistan which has not cracked down on them, despite repeated requests from India.

"This is a matter of concern because in spite of repeated requests from the Indian government, almost all terrorist outfits operating from across the border are still active and the Government of Pakistan is not taking much steps", he told reporters at the Indian Coast Guard headquarters in Kochi. He said the Kashmir situation was a "matter of concern", though the scenario has "not worsened" compared to last year.

On reports that over 700 terrorists were waiting across the border in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) to sneak into J&K, he said India has taken all precautions to deal with the situation. Hitting out at Pakistan for its sharp reaction on India's military doctrine of countering threats from both China and Pakistan, he said, "I don't know why there is this over-reaction.

India is not a war-mongering country. "In spite of our differences with some of the neighboring countries, we are trying to improve our relations with them. We have no extra-territorial ambition but our concern is to protect the country's territorial integrity."

- Asian Tribune -