New Delhi, October 19
Not ruling out the possibility of spillover effect of the “very serious” situation in Pakistan, India today said its defence forces are prepared to meet any challenge and expressed confidence that any threat, including that from Taliban, would be neutralised.

“The situation in Pakistan is very serious and terrorism is spreading,” Defence Minister A K Antony told reporters here when asked to comment on developments in the neighbouring country and Taliban threat to attack India. This statement came after Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud threatened to dispatch terrorists to fight India once an Islamic state was created in Pakistan.

In a footage aired by Britain's Sky News channel, Hakimullah said: “We want an Islamic state. If we get that, then we will go to the borders and help fight the Indians.” Describing the situation in Pakistan as very ‘serious’, Antony said terrorism is spreading.

Asked whether the Taliban threat was a cause for concern for India, he said, “we are always prepared to meet any challenge to our territorial integrity and national security from any quarter. Our security forces are keeping eternal vigilance”. Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor did not rule out the possibility of spillover effect of developments in Pakistan.

“Whenever there is turbulence in any particular region, there is always some spillover effect in the neighbouring country. That is something we all need to guard against,” he said at a separate function.

At the same time, Gen Kapoor added, “we have no doubt that our security forces will give a fitting reply to Taliban whenever they try to carry out destructive activities in our country.”

Pakistan is in the grip of a terror wave with Taliban undertaking six major attacks in a week, including one at the Army headquarters in Islamabad.

Terming terrorism as a menace, Antony said, “in fight against terrorism, everybody should act seriously and sincerely and it applies to Pakistan also.”

On the possibility of involvement of Pakistan-based terrorists in yesterday’s blasts in Iran, he said, “I cannot say anything off hand. But the thing is that terrorism is spreading. It is the real menace to the world. Terrorism is a reality. Fight against terrorism is a common challenge for all peace leaving nations and communities”.

Over 30 persons, including six top commanders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, were killed in the blasts in southern part of the country on Sunday.

On the ongoing ‘Operation Raksha’ by the Navy and the Coast Guard, the Defence Minister said, “We learnt a lot of lessons from 26/11 last year. After that, now there is a coordinated effort for coastal security and Indian Navy and Coastguard are taking serious steps. Government is also giving all out support to strengthen them”.

Replying to a query on China, Antony said India will not compromise on its national interest.

“We will protect all our territory and at the same time, we will continue our efforts for extending relations with all our neighbours,” he added. — PTI/ANI