THE COMMENTS that the Pakistan leaders have been issuing make for funny reading. Nawaz Sharif said that Kasav, the lone arrested terrorist, belonged to Pakistan. On 19/12/2008, President Asif Ali Zardari asserted that there was no proof that the arrested Mumbai attacker hailed from Pakistan’s Punjab province. However, former premier Nawaz Sharif said that the suspect’s village had been cordoned off and his parents were not allowed to meet anyone. Sharif said – ‘… I have checked myself. His (Ajmal Amir Iman alias Ajmal Kasab) house and village have been cordoned off by the security agencies. His parents are not allowed to meet anybody. I don’t understand why it has been done… "

We were happy with Sharif’s statement. Suddenly he modified the statement on 24/12/2008) and said – “...if India provides irrefutable proof to the President of Pakistan Asaf Ali Zardari, he will ensure that justice is done”. He also added – “…If Indian government does not have strong evidence, then it should not give irresponsible statements. …”

Moreover, recent activities along the border cause worries. There was the so-called telephone call from our external affairs Minister to President Zardari issuing veiled threats of nuclear attacks. Then the Pakistan air force began to patrol the skies; so did the fighter planes of Pakistan’s air force, leading to heightened tension along the border. On 6/12/2008, a hawk fitted with a transmitter, an antenna and a 3-volt battery landed in Jaisalmer. Investigations are on to find out whether the electronic device is capable of taking pictures or transmitting information.

On 22/12/2008, the Jodhpur police discovered a tunnel that extends from India to Pakistan along the border. The smugglers who were caught using the tunnel said that it was being used to smuggle drugs and fake currency from Pakistan. On 24/12/2008, TV channels reported increased activity along the border near Barmer in Rajasthan. Locals were being evacuated from the adjacent villages. On 25/12/2008, Islamabad’s diversionary tactics touched a new low. On that day, Pakistan pulled another rabbit out of its hat. It said that a car bomb blast occurred in Lahore on Wednesday, which left a woman dead and three others injured, had been triggered by four Indians. The Pakistani media, quoting anonymous sources, identified one of the bombers as one Satish Anand Shukla, allegedly a resident of Kolkata.

All the suspicious activities appear to be taking place along the Western border – which the terrorists used to enter our territory and wreak havoc on Mumbai. What exactly does Pakistan want? Why are they sounding the war bugle? Their action has to be condemned in the strongest possible words.