NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD, 16 August — Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, using his strongest language against Pakistan since the two countries pulled back from the brink of war in June, accused Islamabad yesterday of “cross-border terrorism” in disputed Kashmir. Pakistan promptly described the allegation as “hypocritical”.
A statement released by the Foreign Ministry in Islamabad referred to the allegation made yesterday by Vajpayee in an Indian Independence Day speech as an example of India’s own “double standard”.
“Such allegations are routinely leveled by Indian leaders to cover up the reign of terror let loose by Indian security forces in Indian-controlled Kashmir,” the statement said.
Vajpayee accused Pakistan, a key US ally in the war against terrorism, of double standard by allowing militants to cross into Indian Kashmir to join a 13-year-old revolt against Indian rule.
“Our neighbor claims to be fighting terrorism in international forum. But in this region it has double standard,” Vajpayee said. “It is trying to get Jammu and Kashmir through cross-border terrorism.” Vajpayee’s speech followed an address by Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf who said plans to hold elections in Indian Kashmir in September and October were farcical. Vajpayee said infiltration into Kashmir was continuing. Pakistan denies it is abetting terrorism in Indian Kashmir.
