Pak calls allegations over 'terror boat' baseless

Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said the allegations put on the country by India over the so called "terror boat" are baseless and preposterous.

"The people of Pakistan see the escalation of tension by India on the Line of Control and Working Boundary, through continuous unprovoked firing and targeting of civilians, as an attempt to distract our armed forces from its valiant mission against all terrorists. The baseless and preposterous Indian allegations regarding the so called "terror boat" from Pakistan are also in the same vein," the ministry stated.

"Pakistan is opposed to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and has been the biggest victim of terrorism. The people and Government of Pakistan are determined to eradicate this menace from our territory. The brave armed forces of Pakistan are successfully conducting a comprehensive and across the board operation - Zarb-e-Azb to root out terrorism," the statement added.

Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had earlier said in New Delhi it is evident that the men on the Pakistani boat, which sank after being intercepted near the India- Pakistan maritime boundary, were suspected terrorists.

On Friday, a possible terror attack was averted when a suspicious fishing boat carrying explosives in the Arabian Sea was intercepted near the India- Pakistan maritime boundary, approximately 365 kilometres away from Porbander.

The four persons on board disregarded warning shots from the Coast Guard and tried to hide themselves in the lower deck of the vessel; thereafter they set the boat on fire, which resulted in an explosion.

Ultimately, the boat burnt and sank in the early hours of January 1, including all the people on board who could not be saved or recovered.