Time to act tough against terror, talk tough with Pakistan: BJP

New Delhi, Nov 29 (UNI) Expressing happiness over the country surmounting one of the biggest challenges posed by terrorist forces in Mumbai, the BJP today said it was time for the country to start taking action against terror and initiate 'coercive diplomatic' measures against Pakistan.

It is time for the country's polity to demonstrate that the people are united in the fight against terror and plug ''the big slip up'' that was evident after the terror forces battered the country one after the other, BJP spokesman Ravishankar Prasad said.

Asking the Government to take tough diplomatic measures against Pakistan, Mr Prasad said it was evident that Pakistani nationals were involved in terror operations and Pakistan had violated the joint statement of 2004 not to allow its territory for launching terror attacks.

The Mumbai siege was planned on Pakistani soil and the men were trained in that country and reached Mumbai through the sea route, he said.

Pakistan's promise to send its ISI Chief to India also seems to be a non-starter as media reports from Islamabad were suggesting that he would not be coming, he said.

India should tell Pakistan in clear terms to hand over Dawood Ibrahim, wanted in the 1993 blasts in Mumbai, if it was serious in fighting terror. It should notify interpol about Jamat-Ud-Dowla, the new name of Lashkar-e-Toiba, the banned outfit and take measures to get this new entity banned, he added.

Mr Prasad said liberating Mumbai from the clutches of terrorists was possible because of the valiant security forces --Army, Navy, NSG and the Mumbai Police. Many of their men had made supreme sacrifice. The country was indebted to them.

It was now upto the political leadership to send the right message to the terrorists that the country is united in its fight against terror and would not succumb to the vote bank allurements.

The BJP is ready to support all measures that will be taken against terror, he said.

UNI MCN SLD KP1331