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Politics : America Under Siege: The End of Innocence -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: epsteinbd who wrote (7488)	10/16/2001 5:10:24 PM
From: Lola	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 27666

India will be ruthless against terrorism, says Fernandes SAMIRAN SAHA New Delhi, October 16, 21:18 In what seems to be a hint at India's change of posture, Defence Minister George Fernandes talked tough, declaring that India will fight "a no-holds barred" battle against terrorism from across the border and maintained that India will be ruthless against border intruders. While ruling out any change in India’s policy on terrorism, Fernandes said: "India will be ruthless and the Army will act in a very decisive manner... no-holds barred." Fernandes, who has been re-inducted recently, while commenting on Monday's Army action in Mendhar in Poonch and Akhnoor sectors in Jammu region said that the idea was to hit home a message. "Last (Monday's) night operation along the Line of Control and the International Border was a punitive measure in which 30 infiltrators were killed and 11 Pakistani posts were destroyed." According to Fernandes the Indian army used small arms, air defence artillery, grenade launchers and mortars and confirmed that Pakistan posts and not bunkers were destroyed in the attacks. Fernandes said the Indian Army took initiative in throwing out the Pakistan soldiers who were trying to sneak militants into Indian territory. He said the operation was swift, starting at 5.20 pm and ending at 6.30 pm. "Around 30 (infiltrators) tried to get in and they were killed. Similar attempts were made by Pakistan earlier on October 5, but in the Monday's attempt, they made efforts to show that it was the Indian side which carried out unprovoked firing," Fernandes said, adding that for effect, Pakistan had seized the opportunity to blame India at a time when the US Secretary of State Colin Powell was visiting Pakistan. However the Defence Minister also added that "such incidents take place on a daily basis along the border". Fernandes dismissed reports that the extent of infiltration had reduced, but added that "the (militant training) camps are there though the activities seem to have come down." "But none have closed down," the Defence Minister said. Fernandes also brushed aside questions of the possibility of India mounting attack on terrorist training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying, "Exact details of action are never disclosed. Otherwise, the adversary would make preparations to counter it." On Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister’s Farooq Abdullaha’s demand that terrorist camps should be attacked, he said: "If such extraordinary step has to be taken, then that's a big decision. Such a decision cannot be taken on the spur of the moment." He described Abdullah's statement as "emotional" outburst and said: "One can understand the pain he carries but hard decisions cannot be taken on emotional basis." On being asked if this meant hot pursuit, Fernandes said: "Hot pursuit has not been described very clearly." The Defence Minister met the three service chiefs this morning and added that apart from the prevailing situation and Tuesday’s action they also wanted to know about the procurement for the defence forces. He said that in his meeting with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, Ilya Klebanov, the procurement of defence hardware was also taken up. Fernandes informed that the Russian Deputy Prime Minister had assured that Russia will supply 80 T-90 tanks as against 40 tanks which was promised earlier. The Defence Minister also stated India discussed the procurement of a multi-role combat aircraft and a passenger and troop carrier. The deal however is yet to be finalised. Fernandes stated Pakistan's logistical support to United States in its campaign against terrorism will not bring Islamabad closer to Washington, because "US is aware of Pakistan’s proximity to the Taliban". He however regretted that India’s concern about terrorism were not heard earlier, and it had to be the attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center that got the world to take notice. "We have to and we will fight our own war against terrorism," Fernandes added. thenewspapertoday.com