Pakistan on Tuesday brushed aside Indian allegations of its involvement in the massacre of 24 Hindus in Jammu and Kashmir.

It called for 'neutral and impartial' investigations to determine the perpetrators behind the attack.

In a statement issued in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Muhammad Kasuri denied charges that Pakistan was behind the attack and said the government of Pakistan 'deplores the motivated and baseless allegations'.

"Such accusations against Pakistan, when an enquiry has not even been initiated, let alone concluded, have unfortunately become a pattern," he said.

Kasuri said Pakistan has always condemned attacks on innocent civilians, and in the past offered joint investigations to India to investigate such terrorist acts.

"Regrettably, India as always rejected the offer of Pakistan as well as the offer made by various international agencies to unearth the perpetrators of such crimes," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Lal Kishenchand Advani, after visiting the in Nadigram, had said, "Pakistan is not only responsible for violence in Jammu and Kashmir, but even in other parts of the country."

He added that the road from Chittisinghpura to Nadigram could be a perfect example as to how Pakistan was now resorting to such acts.

Kasuri said the attack on Chatisingpura in March 2000 in which 36 Sikhs were killed, was 'blamed on the renegade elements in the pay of Indian agencies'.

"It should be obvious to all observers that such incidents can only be perpetrated by those elements opposed to an improved climate between India and Pakistan, and opposed to Pakistan's consistent and sincere efforts to restart a dialogue with India on Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

Stating that motive constitutes an important factor in the commission of all acts of this nature, he said "such incidents were not in the interests of Pakistan or the Kashmiri freedom movement."

"Pakistan would once again urge India to permit neutral and impartial investigations into all such incidents rather than blaming Pakistan," he said and offered condolences to the families on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan.

"This is a reprehensible act which we condemn in the strongest terms," Kasuri said.