Terror groups in Pakistan, a threat to regional and world peace

Amritsar, April 30 (ANI): Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma on Thursday said the presence of organized terror groups in Pakistan poses a major threat to the safety and security of the entire region, a threat to peace in the subcontinent and to world peace.

Sharma was in Amritsar to canvass for Congress candidate O.P. Soni who is contesting from the Amritsar parliamentary constituency.

Addressing a press conference here, Sharma said the surge of the Taliban is a dangerous development, which needs to be effectively countered by Pakistan government and its army because it is needed in the interest of Pakistan's own stability.

"We are very clear that Pakistan, which is our neighbor, has unfortunately become the epicenter of global terrorism. Its terror infrastructure has to be dismantled. Taliban and similar organizations, which are intolerant and threaten the civilized order, have to be neutralized. We wish Pakistan strength in doing so we also wish them democracy and stability," Sharma said.

Reacting to reports of attacks on Sikhs in Peshawar, Sharma described it as unfortunate and barbaric and added that the India Government would take up the issue at the diplomatic level with the Pakistan Government to ensure the safety of minorities.

Sharma, however, assured that in India all possible measures for the protection of India and its citizens have been taken.

"We had worked out 100 days plan to reinforce our intelligence agencies after the Mumbai terror attack. The security infrastructure has been revamp and full consultation has been insured of different wings of intelligence agencies. Many recourses and equipments have been made available and the laws have been strengthening. The amendment to the legislator is assured that we have stringent anti terror laws on the statuary board," said Sharma.

Talking about ongoing crisis in Sri Lanka Sharma said that there was a clear distinction between Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Tamil civilians in the island nation and Colombo should take every measure to ensure that Tamil minorities get equal and constitutional rights.

Sharma said that Indian Navy and the cost guards were on high alert to pre-empt any attempt by remnants of LTTE cadre to infiltrate into India.

Sharma, however, added: "I do not see any threat coming from them, such organization which has done enough damage in the past." By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)