Pakistan president warns India against misadventure

Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani called on President Asif Ali Zardari here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday.

President Zardari and Premier Gilani discussed Indo-Pak tension and steps taken by Pakistan to de-escalate the situation. According to sources, Zardari and Gilani agreed to carry out a credible investigation of the evidence provided by India on Mumbai attacks. The two leaders said that strict action would be taken against any group found involved in Mumbai carnage.

The president said that Pakistan condemned state sponsored terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. He said Pakistan’s armed forces were ready to foil any attempt of misadventure. President Zardari termed statement of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ‘baseless’ and 'unfortunate' saying India wanted to gain some other motives from such propaganda.

The two leaders exchanged views on the existing law and order situation in the country, political situation and other national matters.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir said aggression by India would be a big mistake.

Addressing the session of standing committee of National Assembly, foreign secretary said India is whipping tension in the region and trying to spoil the environment.

Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed on Tuesday called on President Asif Ali Zardari and discussed with him professional matters.

In a meeting held at the Presidency, the Air Chief briefed President Zardari about the operational preparedness of Pakistan Air Force.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday once again blamed Pakistan for whipping up war hysteria and using terrorism as state policy.

“Pakistan was whipping up war hysteria, and that the Mumbai attacks must have had support from some official agencies within Pakistan”, Singh told a security conference in New Delhi. "The terrorist attack in Mumbai in November last year was carried out by the Lashkar-e-Taiba."

Manmohan Singh said foreigners had been targeted in the Mumbai attacks to convey instability in India.

Dr Singh said that most of the terrorists act in connivance with intelligence agencies in neighbouring countries.

While commenting on the challenges faced by India, the Indian Prime Minister said that problems faced by our country are compounded by vulnerable security environment and fragile governments in the neighbouring countries.

He further stressed on the need for a holistic approach to deal with the menace of terrorism.

Underlining the need to review the current security set-up, the Indian Prime Minister called for better co-ordination among various wings of intelligence. A review of the training and equipment for the security forces was also called for, he added.

The PM said infiltration was also taking place from Bangladesh and Nepal though it had not ceased from the Line of Control (LoC).

Manmohan Singh said that India must "implement a policy of zero tolerance" towards terrorism and few countries had suffered from terror attacks in the way that India had.

Stressing that terror should not be conceptualised solely in military terms, the PM stated, “We must ensure the concept of terrorism is delegitimised.”