NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Monday came out with all guns blazing saying any 'Indian military adventurism' will be paid back in the 'same coin', adding 'they (Pakistan) aren't wearing bangles and are ready for any eventuality'.
Speaking to Pakistan Television and apparently responding to Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's statement that there can't be any talks till cross-border terrorism stops, Musharraf asked the Indian side to stop indulging in rhetoric and come to the negotiating table.
"I would only say (to India) 'please stop.' We are not a small country. They should never attempt anything," a tough-talking Musharraf said.
"We have enough conventional and unconventional weapons," he added.
"We know about troop movements and air force movements. We are ready to meet any eventuality," he said.
He said Pakistan is for resolving through dialogue the issue of Kashmir, where according to him, an indigenous freedom struggle is underway.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan had cautioned India against attacking 'terrorist camps' in the Pakistan-occupied part of Kashmir.
"India should not make mistakes," foreign office spokesman Riaz Mohammed Khan said at a news briefing in Islamabad, when asked to comment on the Indian government's assertion that it had the right to target 'terrorist camps' in Pakistan.
Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani had vowed on Friday to go after terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir but ruled out 'for now' its troops crossing the Line of Control.
"We will not be looking for terrorists to strike and then reacting. We will follow a proactive policy," Advani had said.
Though it was legitimate under international law to carry out 'hot pursuit' against terrorist groups striking from across the border, New Delhi did not intend to exercise that right, he had said.
"Not now. At this moment we are not thinking of it. At this point of time, we look forward to this phase of the global battle against terrorism succeeding," he said referring to the U.S.-led campaign in Afghanistan against terrorism.
Agencies
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
