This Article is From Sep 26, 2013

J&K terror attacks: PM condemns 'attack on peace', says it won't derail dialogue with Pakistan

J&K terror attacks: PM condemns 'attack on peace', says it won't derail dialogue with Pakistan

12 people, including a Lieutenant Colonel, were killed in the attack on a police station and an Army camp in J&K.

Frankfurt: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today condemned the terror attack on army and police camps in Jammu and Kashmir in which 10 people were killed, but said it would not succeed in derailing efforts at peace through dialogue.

"This is one more in a series of provocations and barbaric actions by the enemies of peace. We are firmly resolved to combat and defeat the terrorist menace that continues to receive encouragement and reinforcement from across the border. Such attacks will not deter us and will not succeed in derailing our efforts to find a resolution to our problems through the process of dialogue," said the Prime Minister in a statement from Frankfurt. (Read full statement)

The statement confirmed that the summit meeting between the Prime Minister and Nawaz Sharif on Sunday is on track.

Sources say, the dialogue process has a long and well chronicled history of terror strikes stalking its every initiative. Sources are also arguing that the Pakistan PM is a newly elected leader who has made a number of pro India statements that need to be given a chance; most significantly his statement that it's the PM and not the Army Chief who is the Boss. This section of the government believes Sharif's hand should be strengthened against the security establishment in Pakistan.

But its domestic politics and the pressure of public opinion back home that the PM needs to worry about. His Pakistan policy is already seen to be a personal project.

"The PM is in a hurry to start dialogue with Pakistan," said BJP chief Rajnath Singh. "There should be no talks with Pakistan unless there is a conducive environment."

The question now is, in election season, will his own party back him. Remember, Sharm-el Sheik.


NDTV's Group Editor Barkha Dutt is traveling with the PM's delegation which is expected to reach Washington tonight ahead of the UN General Assembly meeting on the weekend.
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