Terrorism is a 'Frankenstein monster': L K Advani

Terming terrorism as a "Frankenstein monster", senior BJP leader L K Advani has said that the global community cannot afford to adopt "selective approaches" in dealing with terrorist groups and use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy is short-sighted.

Advani, who is among a group of visiting Indian Parliamentarians here attending sessions of the UN General Assembly, said India has faced the scourge of terrorism for over two-and-a-half decades with the South Asian region having been wracked by activities of the biggest terrorist actors in the world like Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamat-ud Daawa.

"The fight against terrorism has to be unrelenting and fought across all fronts. The international community cannot afford selective approaches in dealing with terrorist groups or in dismantling the infrastructure of terrorism," Advani said in his address on 'Measures to eliminate international terrorism' yesterday.

He said terrorism is a "Frankenstein monster" and resorting to the use of terrorism as an instrument of State policy is short-sighted.

"Indeed, those who have taken recourse to it have invariably themselves suffered immensely from it proving the age old dictum that those who play with the sword, also perish by it," Advani said.

He said terrorism, extremism and radicalisation continue to pose a serious challenge to peace, progress and prosperity in the South Asian region.

He asked the international community to step up its collective efforts with real cooperation among member states to confront the scourge of terrorism "squarely and decisively." Noting that terrorism constitutes the most serious challenge to international peace and security, Advani said terrorists in today's world are not only globalised, but are waging an asymmetric warfare against the international community.

"India condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. No cause or grievance could justify terrorism. We need to adopt a holistic approach that ensures zero-tolerance towards terrorism," he said.

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