Vowing to root out terrorism, which had thrown up a challenge on the nation, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on Sunday, said every step would be taken to ensure that the nation's borders are protected and its internal security not threatened. “India wants peace and friendship with all countries but if we continue to be made targets of terrorism it is not possible that we do not reply back,'' Vajpayee said in an apparent reference to Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism.
Addressing cadets at the Prime Minister's rally at the NCC Republic Day camp in New Delhi, Vajpayee said, ''Terrorism is a challenge, both externally and internally, to the country. We will face it and not rest until it is uprooted.''
He said during the last two decades, India had fought terrorism alone and now a global coalition was tackling the menace. ''Terrorists were committing the cowardly act by killing innocent men, women and children and this situation will not be allowed to continue''.

The Prime Minister said the government will give a thought to the expansion of the National Cadet Corps which was imbibing the highest tradition of the armed forces and had an impressive representation in the military.
After watching a one-and-half-hour thrilling display by the NCC cadets from all over the country, Vajpayee commended the youth for their powerful performance, which almost appeared as if they were competing well with those who took part in the republic day parade on Rajpath on Saturday. Bureau Report