Pak back in ‘proof mode’ to deflect Antony’s 42 terror camp claim
By ANITuesday, March 2, 2010
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has rejected Defence Minister A K Antony’s statement that 42 terror training camps still existed inside its boundaries, saying New Delhi must provide the proof regarding such claims.
“India should better share proof of existence of these camps with Pakistan rather than firing in the air,” Foreign Office Spokesperson Abdul Basit said.
Basit reiterated that Pakistan was itself a victim of terrorism and facing “Indian-sponsored terrorism”, and that it has provided New Delhi the proof of its involvement in the Baloch insurgency.
“We have provided the Indians with proof of their involvement in Balochistan and the tribal areas during secretary-level talks”, The Nation quoted Basit, as saying.
It may be noted that speaking during the Operation Vayu Shakti 2010 programme organized at Pokhran, Antony had said: “Our real concern is existence of terror camps intact across the border after 26/11 attack. There are 42 terror camps. And there has been no serious effort to dismantle these camps.”
Commenting on the recent Foreign Secretary level talks between India and Pakistan, he said India’s decision to hold talks was a conscious decision and the country’s concerns have been conveyed through them to Pakistan.
“We took a conscious decision to have foreign secretary level talks with Pakistan. We never expected miracle from the talks. We have conveyed our concerns to Foreign Secretary of Pakistan,” Antony had said. (ANI)
