'India deserves global support in its fight against terror'

India's "proactive operation" against terrorists in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir should be "commended" and supported by the international community, a top European Parliament official has said, underlining that New Delhi deserves global support in its fight against terror.

European Parliament vice-president Ryszard Czarnecki praised India for their approach to the situation.

"India's cross-border action against terrorists on its borders with Pakistan should be commended and supported by the international community. India has clearly indicated that these attacks were not against the Pakistani state, but focussed against terror groups that threatened peace and stability in the region," Czarnecki said.

"India deserves global support in its fight against terror emanating from Pakistan, for if left unchecked, these individuals and groups would be attacking Europe and the West, soon. It is also important for the European Union to maintain pressure on Pakistan to eliminate the terror networks that operate within its borders," the British-born Polish politician said in an article in EP Today, the monthly news magazine for the European Parliament.

The "proactive operation" carried out on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was "probably a first by India" and was in response to the two attacks on Indian defence establishments -- the Pathankot airbase in January and the Uri army camp in September, he said.

"The time has come for the world to act decisively against terrorism and ensure that no terror group is assured of a secure haven in any part of the world," he added.

The close relationship between the Pakistan defence establishment, the Afghan Taliban and the Haqqani network was well known, he added.

"We have witnessed the alarming growth of Pak-linked terror modules in Europe and other parts of the world. The close proximity between the Pak security establishment and terror groups has also given rise to a situation where organisations propagating Islamic militancy in Pakistan enjoy de facto state patronage," Czarnecki said.

Tensions between India and Pakistan are growing after terrorists stormed an Indian Army base in Uri on September 18, killing 19 soldiers.

The terror launch pads across the border were targeted by the Indian Army last week, inflicting "significant casualties" on terrorists preparing to infiltrate from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Photograph: Umar Ganie