The war of words intensified on Friday with India pointing out to Pakistan that ‘more than’ 30 terror outfits are ‘still operating’ in that country while making it clear that it was Islamabad's responsibility to act firmly against militant groups assuming new names to evade UN sanctions.With Islamabad dilly-dallying on taking action, two senior ministers talked tough saying there was ‘no noticeable change’ in Pakistan's attitude and Indian forces will have to remain alert."More than 30 terrorist outfits are still operating in Pakistan. There is no improvement or any change in their attitude," Defence Minister A K Antony said.With Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) assuming a new name to evade UN sanctions, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee bluntly stated that it was Pakistan government's responsibility of acting against the outfit even if it changes its nomenclature or form.Underscoring that JuD has been banned by the UN, he said the world community should take appropriate action if Pakistan fails to comply with its international commitments and conventions.Antony rubbished Pakistan's ‘advice’ for de-activating ground and air troops in forward areas saying ‘nobody will tell us’ what to do. "After the 26/11 (Mumbai terror strikes), we must be prepared to meet any eventuality. It is our duty".The minister also brushed aside statements emanating from Pakistan that India was escalating tensions with that country. "Armed forces are doing their duty. they are not escalating anything. They have to be fully prepared to meet any challenge from any quarter, any threat from any quarter".Mukherjee too voiced New Delhi's agitation over Pakistan turning a blind eye to the skullduggery by terror outfits."When LeT (Lashkar-e-Toiba) was banned, it came up as JuD. Now it has been banned. It (JuD) might have taken another name. This is the pattern we have noticed in Pakistan," Mukherjee said."It is the responsibility of Pakistan government to stop activities of these banned organisations in any form, in any name, in any shape," he said.Mukherjee's remarks came on the move by JuD to rename itself as 'Tehreek-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool' (Movement for defending the honour of God) to avoid restrictions which Pakistan could be forced to impose on it because of UNSC sanctions in the wake of the Mumbai attacks.Mukherjee pointed out that Pakistan is a party to various international conventions, including SAARC Convention against terrorism of 1987 and the special protocol of 2004 of SAARC countries.He said if Pakistan does not comply with the UNSC ban, it is for the international community to ‘take appropriate action’.
