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Pakistan behind Gujarat violence: Advani

Union Home Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani on Saturday accused Pakistan of inciting the recent communal violence in Gujarat and elsewhere in India after Islamabad had been 'internationally isolated'.

Laying the foundation stone of the Central Reserve Police Force Academy in Hyderabad, the home minister lashed at Pakistan for fomenting communal tensions in India after unsuccessfully waging a decade-long 'proxy war'.

As a result, Pakistan today stands 'internationally cornered and marginalised', he said.

"I would urge every citizen of this country to be cautious and defeat the nefarious designs of our neighbour," the minister said.

Pakistan was trying to 'disturb communal harmony in the country that has been safeguarded by the Vajpayee government' for the past five years, Advani said.

He defended the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance, saying the need for such special laws against terrorism had been stressed even by the United Nations Security Council.

Without naming Pakistan, Advani said, "The neighbour has seen itself being defeated on all fronts and as regards its proxy-war, it is being gradually cornered in the international community. So it (Pakistan) thought that somehow the communal tensions in India, which had died down over the past four years, should be revived."

Insisting that there were no indications of change in Pakistan's attitude over terrorism vis-a-vis India despite 'big' promises, Advani said that India would review its approach towards that country only when its demands were met.

He hailed the US statement asking Islamabad to hand over the 20 terrorists India wants.

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