Over 40 terror camps operating in Pak: Antony

NEW DELHI: A day after the Manmohan Singh government made a big concession to Islamabad by formally reviving the dialogue process, defence minister A K Antony said that India was concerned about terror factories operating across the border. “More than 40 terror camps are still operating across the border. It is a matter of concern to us. Pakistan should take action to dismantle these terror camps,” he said.

The defence minister said there was complete backing for the dialogue process. “Talks will continue. But at the same time, we are concerned about the existence of more than 40 terror camps. Pakistan must take sincere and strong action to dismantle terrorist outfits,” the minister said.

India’s charge against Islamabad about sheltering terrorists was recently authenticated by Russian ambassador to India Alexander M Kadakin. He had told Indian media that around 40 terror camps are still active on the Pakistan-Afghanistan borders and that Islamabad was yet to act against them. The ambassador had disclosed that the information about terror camps was based on Russian satellite imagery and intelligence.

Despite the reluctance to act against terror groups, New Delhi had on Tuesday agreed to explore ways to begin full-fledged dialogue between the two sides. The decision to initiate dialogue at the foreign minister level was taken in Thimpu by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yousaf Raza Gilani. By way of explanation on the decision to engage Pakistan, Mr Krishna had said in Rajya Sabha that India had decided to have a dialogue as there has been a “transformation” in ties, with the Pakistani prime minister assuring Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that Indian “core concern” on terrorism would be adequately addressed.