Supporting non-state actors involved in terrorism can 'bounce back': Parrikar on Quetta attack

Expressing grief over the terrorist attack on the police training college in Quetta in which 51 people, mostly cadets, have been killed, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said that non-state actors involved in terrorism should be curtailed and must not be supported by any state as sometimes it bounces back.

Talking to the mediapersons here, Parrikar said terrorism anywhere in any form can't be accepted.

"Let me express grief for any loss of life. We don't believe in violence or any kind of violence. I am not describing any country with anything. Non-state actors who are involved in terrorism should be curtailed. It shouldn't be supported by any state sometimes it bounces on you too. I think this is one of those events. But I regret the loss of lives and my sympathies are with the people who lost their lives," he said.

At least 51 people were killed and 97 others injured as three terrorists stormed a police training college in Quetta on Monday night, prompting an operation by the military and Frontier Corps forces to clear the premises which houses at least 600 police cadets.

There was an intermittent exchange of fire between the attackers and security forces for several hours, with reports of a hostage situation.

At least three terrorists were reportedly killed with the security forces claiming that the operation was over.