Advani asks forces to be vigilant

Afghan ultras may enter India

New Delhi, December 1
Union Home Minister L.K Advani today expressed apprehensions that terrorists operating in Afghanistan may cross over to India following the defeat of the Taliban and called for utmost vigilance on New Delhi’s part.

“We have to be vigilant against the risk of terrorists engaged in terrorism in Afghanistan, who have now come to Pakistan, spilling over into our borders. We have to be wary and vigilant,” Mr Advani said after addressing the 36th Raising Day function of the BSF here.

Earlier, addressing BSF personnel, he said the ongoing developments in Afghanistan had raised several questions about what shape the future would take in the war-torn country and what its impact would be on Pakistan.

He said after the September 11 terror strikes, “India’s war against terrorism had become the world’s war.” Mr Advani said after the terror strikes, those countries which were not able to gauge the gravity of terrorism in India had realised that it had to be wiped out globally.

He also announced Rs 1 crore as immediate allocation for the purpose. Earlier, the Home Minister presented gallantry medals to several persons, including widows of martyrs, who laid down their lives fighting terrorists.

In his address, BSF Director-General Gurbachan Jagat said a modernisation plan of the force had been finalised under the guidance of the Home Ministry and it would be implemented in phases.

An excellent parade including a breathtaking performance by BSF daredevils on motor cycles, marked the celebrations, attended among others by Home Secretary Kamal Pande and senior officials of the BSF and other paramilitary forces.

Meanwhile, the Union Tourism and Culture Minister, Mr Jagmohan, accused the Press of glorifying terrorists by giving them prominent display in newspapers and ignoring those who were fighting the proxy war in Jammu and Kashmir.

Justifying POTO, he said a law different from the traditional law was the need of the hour as the rule of law had collapsed in Kashmir. PTI