By KUNA,
New Delhi : In a bid to calm down heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror strikes which claimed more than 180 lives, Indian Defense Minister A.K. Antony on Tuesday morning ruled out any military action against Pakistan.
India has directly blamed the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes on terrorist groups operating from Pakistani soil.
Speaking to a select few reporters at India Gate on the occasion of Vijay Diwas (Victory Day), the Indian Defense Minister, however, said that Islamabad will have to act against militants involved in the Mumbai terror attacks to normalize relations with India.
Over the past few days, media reports had suggested that India was planning to launch “air strikes” against terror camps in Pakistan, particularly after the 26/11 terror strikes.
Reacting to such press reports, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had last evening said in Islamabad that his country was prepared to defend itself against any Indian aggression.
After the wreath laying ceremony at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate to mark India’s victory against Pakistan in the 1971 war, Antony stated: “Pakistan will have to take action against terrorists involved in the Mumbai attacks for the relations between the two countries to be normal.” The 1971 war with Pakistan saw the birth of Bangladesh. The “Victory Day” is celebrated in Bangladesh too.