We are a step ahead of terrorists: PM

NEW DELHI: A day after three terrorists belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) were killed by the security forces on the outskirts of Srinagar as they tried to sneak into the Jammu and Kashmir capital, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while dropping enough hints to suggest that Islamabad continued to export terror across the border, asserted India had full capability to combat such forces and “will remain one step ahead of the terrorists”.

The prime minister made these remarks while speaking at a function here in the presence of Bhutanese King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuk, who’s currently on a visit to India, and the chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

“Terrorist groups enjoy patronage and sanctuary,” Mr Singh said, without taking Pakistan’s name. “We will ensure that our capabilities to combat terrorism remain a step ahead of those of the terrorists. They should be left in no doubt about our ability and resolve to defeat them,” he added.

The prime minister’s remarks came a day after the Pak-based jehadi outfits made a strong statement of their intent to continue fomenting troubles in India. Two JeM terrorists were killed at Malroo, located some 15 km from Srinagar, as they tried to make their way into the J&K capital, stoking fears of a spurt in cross-border terrorism. With US President Barack Obama landing in India next month, there is an apprehension among intelligence agencies that the terror outfits would accelerate their efforts to fuel problems in the Valley.

Pakistan’s dogged refusal to crack down on the terror outfits operating from its soil has stalled the resumption of Indo-Pak peace talks. The Manmohan Singh government has consistently taken the stand that Islamabad should back its assurances with concrete action on the ground, in particular, against those who orchestrated the 26/11 terror assault on Mumbai.

Condemning state sponsored violence, the prime minister observed that India was opposed to “unilateral use of force for resolving disputes”. He also said “India supports adopting convention on international terrorism”.

On the issue of a strong security apparatus, Mr Singh replied: “We have to be prepared to deal with threats to our security from non-state actors and groups and modernise our defence doctrines to respond to new and non-traditional threats to our security”.

He added that “military preparedness and modernisation of defence forces” were matters of the “highest priority” for the government. Reiterating India’s stand on nuclear disarmament, Mr Singh said: “India supports global universal non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament.”

The prime minister also used the occasion to reiterate his government’s stand on Maoist violence.

“Naxalism and Left wing extremism pose the greatest threats to national security, and the state cannot and will not allow its authority to be challenged.”