MUMBAI: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh today tore into Pakistan for fomenting terrorism on Indian soil by sending terrorists here while observing that the dreaded extremist outfit IS is not a "big challenge" and that the country is well-equipped to tackle any eventuality posed by them.
"A few years back (Ajmal) Kasab (involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack) was caught alive and now two other terrorists have been nabbed.
"From this, it is clear where these terrorists come from. Pakistan always says that roots of terrorism are not in their country, but elsewhere...but this is amply clear to us now," Singh said, addressing a public lecture on internal security and development here late this evening.
Rajnath's tough talk came days after Pakistan called off NSA-level talks with India. Last month, security forces caught two Pakistani terrorists, affiliated to Laskhar-e-Taiba, alive after separate encounters with them in the Kashmir Valley. While Mohammad Naveed alias Usman was nabbed on August 3, two days later Sajad alias Javed alias Abu Ubaidullah, who hails from Balochistan, was also captured.
"Pakistan does not want to keep cordial relations with India and has continuously been violating the ceasefire norms," he added.
The Minister said that India's diplomatic skills forced even America and UAE to pull up Pakistan for supporting terrorist activities.
"America has also asked Pakistan to stop supporting terror activities. The UAE, which has never spoken against Pakistan, has also made it clear to Pakistan that it has to curb such activities...this is our diplomatic skills," he said.
On the terror outfit in West Asia, the IS, Rajnath said,
"They are not a big challenge to us as we are well equipped to
deal with any eventuality from them."
He said that India has witnessed a reduction in Moaist
activities by 30 per cent, "which will further come down".
He also said the government is making every effort to stop
smuggling of cows through Indo-Bangladesh border.
"Every year 20-22 lakh cows are smuggled to Bangladesh.
Now it has come down to 2.5 lakh. We are making efforts to
completely stop this," Singh said.
The Minister also welcomed the government's decision to
implement 'One Rank One Pension', the long pending demand of
ex-servicemen.
Rajnath said the government is moving faster towards
making the country's economy very strong.