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| India does not rule out spillover of Pak events |
| BS Reporter / New Delhi Oct 20, 2009, 00:46 IST |
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Situation very serious, terrorism spreading, Antony.
India today watched events unfolding in its neighbourhood and top leaders did not discount the possibility of a spillover of the “very serious” situation in Pakistan.
An Iranian MP further roiled the waters by raising the prospect of a possible military cross-border operation into Pakistan against the “terrorist group” blamed for a deadly attack on the elite Revolutionary Guards.
“The situation in Pakistan is very serious and terrorism is spreading,” Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters here when asked to comment on developments in the neighbouring country and Taliban’s threat to India and the attack on Iran.
Asked whether the Taliban’s threat was a cause for concern for India, he said: “We are always prepared to meet any challenge to our territorial integrity and national security from any quarter. Our security forces are keeping eternal vigilance.”
Army chief Gen Deepak Kapoor did not rule out the possibility of a spillover effect of the developments in Pakistan.
“Whenever there is turbulence in any particular region, there is always some spillover effect in the neighbouring country. That is something we all need to guard against,” he said at a separate function.
At the same time, Gen Kapoor added: “We have no doubt that our security forces will give a befitting reply to Taliban whenever they try to carry out destructive activities in our country.”
Meanwhile, an evaluation was on of the reported statement of an Iranian MP that Iranian forces could cross over into the Pakistani territory to deal with militant Islamic groups.
“There is unanimity about the Revolutionary Guards and the security forces engaging in operations in any place they would deem necessary,” ISNA news agency quoted MP Payman Forouzesh as saying, appearing to refer to agreement on the issue among lawmakers. “There is even unanimity that these operations (could) take place in the Pakistan territory,” he said. He is a representative from the Sistan-Baluchestan province, where the attack took place.
On the possibility of involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in yesterday’s blasts in Iran, Antony said: “I cannot say anything offhand. But the thing is that terrorism is spreading. It is the real menace to the world. Terrorism is a reality. Fight against terrorism is a common challenge for all peace loving nations and communities.”
Over 30 people, including six top commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, were killed in the blasts in southern part of the country on Sunday.
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