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Tara Shankar Sahay in New Delhi
India on Monday clarified that there was no let-up in Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference along with foreign ministry spokeswoman Nirupama Rao, Major General Richard Khare of the anti-insurgent Romeo Force said there were approximately 3000-3200 militants "who are not local to the soil".
He also emphasised that the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence's role in aiding and abetting cross-border terrorism, especially in J&K, was quite evident.
Rao pointed out that India knew about the identity of the agencies from across the border, which were encouraging terrorism.
Asked about the post-Taleban scenario in Afghanistan, she said India had warm and friendly ties with the people of that country and New Delhi wanted a "democratic, peaceful, progressive and prosperous future for the Afghan people".
"This is not possible unless peace returns early and a government representative of all elements of the Afghan society replaces the Taleban," she said.
In a veiled reference to Pakistan, the spokeswoman said that India did not want any element in the post-Taleban government that would be instrumental in exporting terrorism.
She reiterated that Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's contention that it was a freedom struggle going on in Kashmir was irrelevant because "J&K is an inalienable and integral part of India".
Asked about the unlikelihood of the US helping out India rooting out terrorism, Rao said, "We will deal with it ourselves. India has not asked anybody to pull its chestnuts from the fire."
"We are confident about the validity of our position to fight terrorism and are confident that the US is sensitive to our concerns," Rao pointed out.
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