Will ensure there is no safe haven or launch pad for terrorists, says PM.
India continued to put pressure on Pakistan with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today saying India would “ensure there is no safe haven or launch pad for terrorists.”
Inaugurating the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Chennai on Thursday, he said: “We will not allow forces of extremism and terrorism to destabilise our polity and society. We have taken several measures to strengthen our national security and promote national cohesion. We will continue to work with the international community to see that there is no safe haven or launch pad for terrorists.”
Singh had on Tuesday accused Pakistan’s establishment of direct complicity with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who staged the Mumbai attacks in late November.
Later, speaking at the opening of the Indian Naval Academy in Ezhimala, Kerala, he said India should beef up its maritime security.
Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee criticised Pakistan for its “flip-flop” over confirming the identity of captured LeT operative Mohammad Ajmal Kasab.
More From This Section
“He [Kasab] told us quite categorically where he comes from, where he received military and arms training and where his handlers are located. Unfortunately, despite this, we have seen a consistent flip-flop in the reaction of the government in Islamabad,” he said in Chennai.
He said even after a month of the Mumbai attacks, “There continues to be recalcitrance in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”
“India can succeed in her journey only if this kind of sponsored terrorism is resoundingly defeated — financially, monetarily, militarily and politically,” he said.
“I believe this to be the singularly unique terrorist strike since 9/11 and it is important that anti-terrorist wings in all countries take cognisance of this operation and bring the perpetrators to justice. Let us not forget that terrorism knows no borders. All of us are vulnerable to terrorist attacks,” he said.