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Pak proxy war will be defeated without war, Advani tells RS

The government today expressed its determination to ''defeat the Pakistani proxy war'' in Jammu and Kashmir without going in for direct military confrontation.

''We are determined to defeat the proxy war without war,'' Home Minister L K Advani told the Rajya Sabha during Question Hour.

The government also described as false and baseless allegations that Indian troops had entered eight km inside the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.

Denying the charges spread by ''our adversaries,'' Advani told the Rajya Sabha during question hour that ''without going in for a war, the government is determined to defeat the Pakistan's proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir.''

Advani was replying to Kuldip Nayar, who stated that he had received information that Indian troops had crossed the Line of Control in the Kashmir sector to warn Pakistan not to indulge in adventurism in the border state.

''I do not know and I am not aware of this,'' Advani said.

The home minister described the security situation in the state as serious.

He said the security forces had recently captured 20 anti-aircraft guns from the militants.

He said the government was alive to its responsibilities of functioning as a ''responsible country in the region.'' However, he said, ''If a neighbour conducts proxy war on us, the government is duty bound to give its response in a pro-active manner."

Advani said the militants had shifted their strategy in the militancy-hit state. After forcing minority community members to leave the valley, they were adopting the same approach in four districts of the Jammu region -- Doda, Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur.

UNI

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