New Delhi, December 1
Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani today called upon the world community to “ostracise terrorist nations” as he felt that such nations which harboured terrorist organisations were more dangerous than the terrorist outfits.
Mr Advani had only yesterday dared Pakistan to a fourth war, although did not directly refer to Islamabad but said “terrorist organisations are dangerous but terrorist states are far more dangerous. The international community should ostracise such terrorist states in the interest of democracy, civilisation and humanity.”
The Deputy Prime Minister was addressing the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on the 37th Raising Day Parade of the force on its Chhawla campus on the outskirts of Delhi. Mr Advani said though the neighbouring country has banned some terrorist outfits “under international pressure”, it continued to provide protection and refuge to such elements.
Paying homage to 107 BSF jawans martyred during the year, most of them in Jammu and Kashmir fighting terrorism, he said Pakistan, having been defeated thrice in war and having realised it could never win a direct confrontation with India, had resorted to terrorism.
“Innocent civilians, women and children are being made targets. This poses a grave threat not only to the common man but also to democracy, civilisation and humanity. The earlier the world realises it, the better it would be for humanity,” the deputy premier said.
Addressing an election rally in Bhuj town of Gujarat yesterday, Mr Advani had dared Pakistan to fight a fourth direct war with India instead of engaging in proxy war targeting temples and innocent civilians.
The Deputy Prime Minister announced a Rs 2-crore grant from the Home Ministry for the welfare of BSF personnel.
Mr Advani also promised to remove all obstacles in the way of the “Accelerate Career Progression Scheme” which provides for salary equivalent to that of head constable for all constables who have completed 12 years of service.
This is keeping in view the 15 years’ time it takes a constable to get promotion.
Mr Advani assured the border men that he would consider their demand for restoring
the
special monthly allowance given to Subedar Major rank holders, which was taken away following the implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission report.“The Home Ministry will take all necessary steps to improve the working conditions of BSF personnel,” he said.
Mr Advani presented the President’s Gallantry medals, police medals and medals for distinguished service to relatives of BSF martyrs and serving personnel after inspecting the parade.
Earlier, in his address, Director General of the force Ajai Raj Sharma brought to his notice the difficulties faced by the personnel and listed their various demands, including provision of 15 days’ casual leave and 60 days’ earned leave.
A thrilling display by motor cycle riders and march past involving the force’s cavalry, camel regiment and dog squad followed by several tableaux depicting among others the 105 mm light field gun and the Akshardham incident where the expertise of the force’s tear smoke unit was utilised, were the highlights of the raising day celebrations.
