India will not enter Bangladesh: Pranab

Kolkata, Sep 9 (UNI) Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee today categorically said India would not enter Bangladesh for destroying terrorist camps, it would continue to persuade the neighbouring country to take up the task.

''How can we enter another country and destroy terrorist camps ? Bangladesh has to take the initiative and we will continue to persuade Bangladesh to do it,'' he said.

Mr Mukherjee said the Centre had already requested the Bangladesh Government to dismantle the terrorist camps.

His remarks came in reply to a question on the reported demand of West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee that the terrorist camps on Bangladesh soil be destroyed the way it was done in Bhutan.

During a meeting on internal security in Delhi on September five, Mr Bhattacharjee had said the Centre should involve itself in dismantling the terrorist camps in Bangladesh.

In reply to a question whether the Pakistan-backed ISI was involved in yesterday's Malegaon blast, Mr Mukherjee declined comments saying the incident was being probed.

UNI KDG PC SHB PM2113