By IANS,
New Delhi : Amid reports of Pakistan holding around 12,000-14,000 trained Kashmiri fighters in reserve in case of a sub-continental war, India Thursday underlined that terrorism emanating from that country’s territory remains “a core concern”.
“Terrorism emanating from territory under Pakistan’s control remains a matter of concern for us,” Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. He was responding to a query when asked whether the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies have abandoned their policy of supporting militant groups as tools in a dispute with India.
This is precisely why India has sought a firm and abiding commitment from Pakistan that it will not allow territory under its control to be used for aiding and abetting terrorist activity against India and for providing sanctuary to such terrorist groups, Ahamed said.
The minister also said that the government has seen media reports quoting an unidentified military commander as saying that Pakistan has 12,000 to 14,000 fully trained Kashmiri fighters scattered in various camps in Pakistan and is keeping them in reserve to use if needed in a war against India.
Ahamed’s comments came three days before the third anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack that was perpetrated by 10 Pakistani militants.
On Nov 10, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had assured his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh that Islamabad will fast-track the trial of seven 26/11 terrorists in Pakistani custody.
Manmohan Singh had made it clear that if another Mumbai-like terror attack were to happen, it will be a big setback to the resumed peace process between the two countries.