France calls for 'decisive action' against terror groups targetting India

France on Monday condemned the terror attack on an army camp in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 18 soldiers, and called for "decisive action" against terror groups targetting India, especially the LeT, the Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

In a statement, the deputy spokesperson of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, said that nothing can justify terrorism and that Paris remains "at the side of our strategic partner, India, for fighting this scourge".

To a question on Sunday's terror attack, the spokesperson said that France condemned the "terrible attack carried out in Uri".

He said after the January 2 terror attack on the Pathankot air base, "this attack reminds us that India, like France, is a victim of terrorism. More than ever before, we remain at the side of our strategic partner, India, for fighting this scourge".

It also quoted French President Francois Hollande as saying during his India visit in January this year that "all countries must effectively combat terrorism emanating from their territory or from territories under their control".

"We call for decisive action to be taken, in accordance with international law, against the terrorist groups targeting India, particularly the Lashkar-eTaiba, the Jaish-e-Mohammed, and the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

"Nothing can justify terrorism, which must be combatted everywhere with the same determination," the spokesperson said.

Earlier, in a statement, the French foreign ministry, while condemning the Uri attack also said that it "recalls the importance it attaches to bringing calm and the peaceful settlement of disputes in the region of Kashmir".

Eighteen Indian army soldiers were killed in a fidayeen attack on an army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday morning.

--IANS

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