New Delhi: Expressing serious concern
over the recent attack on a Pakistani naval base, senior BJP
leader L K Advani on Thursday said India should take serious note of
the incident which raises questions whether terrorist elements
were trying to make the neighbouring country a `jihadi state`.
"The attack on Pakistan`s Mehran naval base is a
matter of concern. The attack in which 10 Pakistani jawans
were killed and two aircraft were destroyed is not a minor
terrorist attack," Advani said.
The senior BJP leader said he talked to Finance
Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Defence Minister A K Antony
after knowing about the incident and told them that India
should take the incident seriously.
"I talked to Pranabji and Antony and told them that we
should think about the attack seriously. The situation is
really serious. It does not only concern Pakistan. It is a
matter of concern for India as well as several other countries
of Asia," Advani said on the sidelines of a function at his
residence.
He said the attack also raised questions whether
"terrorist elements like al-Qaeda and Taliban were trying to
make Pakistan a jihadi state."
"After the attack on the naval base, our concern has
increased. The attack also raises question whether they (the
terrorist) will reach (Pakistan`s) critical installations,
particularly the nuclear assets," he said.
Referring to a book titled "Deadly Embrace", written
by Bruce Riedel, Advani said, "After reading the book, we feel
concerned whether terrorist elements like al-Qaeda, Taliban
and others want to make Pakistan a jihadi state."
Asked about David Coleman Headley`s testimony in a US
court about ISI`s role in the Mumbai attack, Advani said
there were no doubts about its role in fomenting terrorist
activities in India.
"I do not think there is any doubt about ISI`s role
(in fomenting terrorism in India)," he said.
Earlier, Advani released an interim report of a group
of BJP workers led by Tarun Vijay on condition of people as
well as security forces in certain areas bordeing China.
The group after, visiting various areas along the
Indo-China border including Milum and Munsiyari, prepared the
report and recommended certain measures to improve
infrastructure in the areas.
"While Chinese troops have access to roads
right up to the border on Milum glacier, our troops, ITBP in
this case, have to trek more than 105 kilometres to reach the
border," said Vijay.
He said at least two helicopters should be made
available to the troops deployed in the terrain. The BJP
spokesman also demanded declaring the Milum village as a
heritage site as the village has a lot of ancient artefacts.
The party had launched the year-long border darshan
yatra earlier this month to sensitise people about the
problems of the troops as well as to highlight difficulties of
people living in border areas.
The yatra was launched to observe 110th birth
anniversary of Jana Sangh founder Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
Complementing the group led by Vijay, Advani hoped
that the final report will help in understanding the issues
concerning the security forces deployed in the border areas.
PTI
