Pak rebuts Indian claims of cross border infiltration

Islamabad, June 6: Pakistan has rejected India's allegations of cross-border terrorism as baseless and asked New Delhi to provide evidence.

''We have asked India, if they have evidence of involvement of any Pakistani, they should share the information with us,'' Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told a press briefing.

Ms Aslam was commenting on allegations made by different Indian leaders accusing Pakistan of infiltration and cross border terrorism.

''Pakistan is against terrorism, we condemn it in all forms and manifestations, whether these are committed by a State, groups or individuals,'' official Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Ms Aslam as saying yesterday.

She, however, recalled statements made by Indian military leaders who since 2004 have repeatedly spoken of declining incidents.

About allegations from across the border that Pakistanis were killed or arrested in ''encounters'' with Indian security forces, the spokesperson said consular access is rarely provided in such case when the infiltrators are reportedly arrested.

''There has never been any confirmation from India, whether those killed were Pakistanis or not,'' she added.

On the ongoing composite dialogue process, she said, ''Pakistan was disappointed by the slow pace of movement on the Composite Dialogue process.'' She said though the dialogue has not broken down, ''we would like to see further movement.'' About the acquisition of building Pakistan's Consulate in Mumbai, she said little progress has been made and a few buildings shown by India were not deemed suitable by Pakistan.

UNI