India should take attack on Pak naval base seriously: Advani
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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, particualrly the nuclear assets," he said.
Referring to a book titled “Deadly Embrace”, writtenby 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 motorable roads right upto 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 spokeman also demanded declaring the Milum village as a heritage site as the village has a lot of ancient artifacts.
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.
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