Advani convens high-level meet on Jammu

Sandesh Prabhudesai
15 May 2002

The union home ministry has convened a high level meeting tomorrow in Delhi to decide India's strategy in response to the terrorist attack in Jammu yesterday that claimed 30 innocent lives.

Defence minister George Fernandes, J & K chief minister Farooq Abdullah as well as officials of the armed forces will also attend the meeting.

Disclosing this at a press conference soon after his arrival in Goa to officially begin the election campaign, Advani also reiterated that India should fight its own battle with at the most psychological help of the international coalition against terrorism.

According to the union home minister, the terrorist attack in Jammu when a senior US state official had visited India has thrown up a two-fold challenge to India as well as the international coalition.

Describing it as cocking a snook at the international coalition against terrorism, said Advani: "the terrorists have also said that we care a hook for you. It is now for them to respond if they want".

Recalling his visit to Washington where he had maintained a stand that India will fight its own battle against terrorism though the US had offered help to defeat terrorism wherever it is, Advani said : "let us view their promises and commitments in an appropriate perspective".

He also refused to comment on the manner in which the US was handling the issue of terrorism in India, stating that he did not want to make any accusation that will suggest that India depends on them.

The union home minister also declined to disclose the kind of response India is planning at tomorrow's meeting as it may also necessitate further deliberation. "I cannot anticipate but this is definitely a serious situation", he added.

Avoiding a reply to the question whether India would plan any kind of 'retaliation' rather than simply 'countering' the cross-border terrorism, Advani said : "I will keep it in mind".

According to him, India is capable of physically fight on its own the war against terrorism as 600 terrorists have been eliminated by the Indian security and intelligence forces, 200 of which were foreign mercenaries.

He also reiterated no talk with Pakistan will be renewed unless the neighbouring country meets its three demands - winding up terrorists' training camps in Pakistan and PoK, putting a stop to infiltration from across the Pak border and handing over 20 terrorists who are involved in a crime in India.

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