Talks with Sharif on: Manmohan says attack won't derail dialogue

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday said the talks planned with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in New York later this week will take place despite the latest terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, saying "such attacks will not deter us and will not succeed in derailing our efforts to find a resolution to all problems through a process of dialogue".

In a statement, Manmohan Singh, who is slated to hold talks with Sharif in New York where both will be there to address the UN General Assembly session, said: "No words are strong enough to condemn the heinous terrorist attack on Hiranagar police station and the army camp at Samba in Jammu and Kashmir this (Thursday) morning."

Twelve people, including an Indian Army officer, were killed Thursday when guerrillas mounted the audacious attack.

"I convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the brave army and police officers, as well as the innocent civilians martyred in this cowardly attack. This is one more in a series of provocations and barbaric actions by the enemies of peace."

"We are firmly resolved to combat and defeat the terrorist menace that continues to receive encouragement and reinforcement from across the border. Such attacks will not deter us and will not succeed in derailing our efforts to find a resolution to all problems through a process of dialogue," he said.

Manmohan Singh will be in Washington Thursday for an official visit and a meeting with US President Barack Obama Sep 27 before he goes to New York the same day.

The Indian prime minister is a known advocate of dialogue with Pakistan even though the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has said talks under such circumstances is futile.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh said in a tweet: "I strongly condemn the terrorist attack on police and security forces in Jammu. The terrorists have attacked India almost at will."

"The PM is in a hurry to start dialogue with Pakistan. There should be no talks with Pakistan unless there is a conducive environment," he said.

--Indo-Asian News service

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