NOIDA encounter exposes Miliband's erroneous terrorism-Kashmir interpretation: Anand Sharma

New Delhi, Jan.25 (ANI): Firmly seeking to expose British Foreign Secretary David Miliband's recent erroneous interpretation of linking the resolution of the Kashmir issue to the end of terror in South Asia, Minister of State for External Affairs, Anand Sharma, on Sunday said what better proof was there of this than the November 2008 terror attack on Mumbai and this morning's police encounter in NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh, that claimed the lives of two Pakistani terrorists.

Speaking in an interview to ANI, he clearly drew a link between the encounter at NOIDA and the operation of terror camps in Pakistan.

"The NOIDA encounter shows that terror groups are still active in Pakistan, though we (India) have repeatedly told Pakistan to dismantle the terror infrastructure," Sharma said

When asked to comment on Miliband's recent views in Mumbai during an official visit, Sharma said: " Well, it's most unfortunate that he made this observation. It was unwarranted and we don't agree with this interpretation or understanding at all, which is not all reflective of the realities of the situation as it prevails in the subcontinent."

"With the kind of cross-border terrorism that has inflicted many wounds on this country, it's equally important that the international community, particularly Europe and Great Britain, who have been duly informed of the developments in the region, do recognize that it will not be correct to give any regional context to terrorism."

Reacting to Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's statement on Sunday that his government would take the entire world into confidence over the probe related to the Mumbai terror attack during the ground breaking ceremony of the Head Muhammad Wala bridge, Sharma said: "It's a great threat that confronts us. This region in the world, it's not the question of assurances. What is required is demonstrative, effective action to dismantle the network of terrorism, which based in Pakistan, and also to neutralize all those who threaten peace and stability in the region."

"We have been urging Pakistan for long - it's important that words are met with action, and Pakistan honors the assurances and commitments, both bilateral and international. It's in the interest of not only of peace in the entire region, but in the world itself," he added

When asked whether there was a link between the incident in NOIDA and the Mumbai attack to Kashmir, Sharma said: "Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India, and what we have here is imported terrorism. It's also dangerous to give any religion the tag of terrorism. There is no cause, no grievance, which can justify terrorism, which kills and maims innocent, defence-less civilians. Therefore, there can be only one action, collective action, a firm action by the international community to eliminate this culture." y Ashok Dixit (ANI)