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Ceasefire not extended under pressure: Fernandes

Rifat Jawaid in Calcutta

Defence Minister George Fernandes on Thursday said the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir was not extended under any pressure form within the country or outside.

Fernandes made this observation in Calcutta soon after paying homage to Indrajit Gupta, the Communist Party of India leader who passed away on February 20.

"The decision to extend the ceasefire in Kashmir has been taken after careful thought and is backed by the country's collective political will," he said.

The defence minister said this is yet another opportunity for Pakistan to stop cross-border terrorism. "We have said it before and reiterate that Pakistan must stop extending financial support and supply of sophisticated arms to the militant organisations in Kashmir," he said.

Fernandes said his government's peace initiative in Jammu and Kashmir has placed Pakistan in an awful predicament. "On one hand they are hell bent on thwarting our efforts to bring peace to Jammu and Kashmir, and on the other they need to project an image internationally of a country that does not support terrorism."

ALSO SEE:
Pak outfits reject ceasefire extension

The Kashmir ceasefire: The complete coverage

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