Bangalore, June 06: Asserting that there was no "substantial or noticeable" drop in infiltration across the Line of Control, Defence Minister George Fernandes on Wednesday ruled out any pullback of troops till concrete evidence of stoppage of infiltration was seen on the ground. Pakistan must end cross-border terrorism and act on the list of 20 terrorists wanted by India, Fernandes said dismissing the threat of outbreak of nuclear war in the wake of the current Indo-Pak border stand-off.
He, however, said it was difficult to say anything on the possibility of a war with Pakistan adding that the threat on the border still persisted. "There is no concrete evidence of any noticeable or substantial reduction in infiltration. Pakistani leadership's talk about the drop or ceasing of cross-border terrorism is not acceptable unless there is concrete evidence to back it", Fernandes told reporters after addressing the Parliamentary consultative committee of his ministry here.
The Minister said that New Delhi had sent a list of 20 wanted terrorists comprising 14 Indian nationals and six Pakistani's adding that if Pakistan had reservations about deporting their nationals, they should send back the Indian nationals. Bureau Report