Most terror attacks in world have their origin in Pakistan: TS Tirumurti

United Nations, Jan 26 (UNI) India slammed Pakistan for actively backing terrorism as a matter of state policy, and said that despite criticism Islamabad continues down the same path undeterred, so much so that most terrorist attacks around the world “have their origin, in some form or the other, to Pakistan”. India’s counsellor at the Permanent Mission in the UN, R. Madhu Sudan, said that “India desires normal neighbourly relations with all countries, including Pakistan, and is committed to addressing outstanding issues, if any, bilaterally and peacefully in accordance with the Simla Agreement and the Lahore declaration.” “However, any meaningful dialogue can be held only in an atmosphere free of terror, hostility and violence. The onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive atmosphere. Till then, India will continue to take firm and decisive steps to respond to cross-border terrorism,” he added. He took the floor after Islamabad’s envoy to the UN Munir Akram raked up the issue of Jammu and Kashmir during an UNSC Open Debate on ‘Protection of civilians in armed conflict: Wars in cities – protection of civilians in urban settings’ on Tuesday. Madhu Sudan said he was “constrained to take the floor again, only because the Representative of Pakistan chose to sully this august Council through his Pavlovian and frivolous remarks against my country. While his statement deserves our collective contempt, it is important for me to set the record straight.” He said that this was not the first time the representative of Pakistan has misused platforms provided by the UN to propagate false and malicious propaganda against India, “and seeking in vain to divert the world’s attention from the sad state of his country where terrorists enjoy free pass while the lives of ordinary people, especially those belonging to the minority communities, are turned upside down”. He said that UNSC Member States are aware that Pakistan has an established history and policy of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists. “This is a country which has been globally recognized as one openly supporting, training, financing and arming terrorists as a matter of State policy. It holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council. So much so that most terrorist attacks around the world have their origin, in some form or the other, to Pakistan. His Prime Minister and his Foreign Minister have been called out for being supporters of terrorists, including Osama Bin Laden, but they continue to carry on down the same path undeterred.” He also said that “the perpetrators of the heinous terror attack in Mumbai in 2008 continue to enjoy patronage of the state which he represents”. On Jammu and Kashmir, he said: “I would like to be categorical about India’s position. The entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh were, are and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India, irrespective of what the representative of Pakistan believes or covets. “This includes the areas that are under the illegal occupation of Pakistan. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.” Earlier, TS Tirumurti, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, said that India, having suffered the scourge of cross border terrorism for decades, has always been at the forefront of global counter-terrorism efforts. “We have witnessed dastardly terrorist attacks on our cities targeting innocent civilians. Any debate on protection of civilians in urban areas would be incomplete without taking into account the carnage wrought by terrorist forces, especially those backed by State actors. “The dastardly terrorist attacks in Mumbai in 2008 which resulted in the killing of 166 innocent civilians of 15 nationalities is still a ghastly reminder to the entire international community. In recent memory, the Mumbai terror attacks epitomize the sheer scale and scope of urban warfare that we had to mount against jihadi terrorists, when our police personnel had to put their lives on the line to secure the city’s safety.” Tirumurti said the international community should stand firm on its opposition to terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and reject any attempt to provide any justifications for terrorist acts. “We should remember that the consequences of any relaxation of our guard on this count would be borne not only by civilians but even by the security forces which combat them in extremely difficult conditions in urban areas. We have already seen implications of such an approach in Europe, where lone wolf attacks have resulted in killings of civilians in urban areas and terrorizing the urban populations.” Tirumurti said that India recognizes the importance of rendering assistance to countries that have suffered the destruction of urban infrastructure. “After the end of the armed conflict in 2009 in Sri Lanka, India assisted the Government of Sri Lanka in immediately restoring some of the most basic and essential civilian infrastructure. India deployed 7 de-mining teams on an emergency basis which enabled the internally displace persons (IDPs) to return to their homes and livelihood. India contributed extensively to rebuild basic essential infrastructure in northern Sri Lanka, including 46,000 houses for IDPs. India had also invested USD 3 billion in infrastructure and community development projects in Afghanistan.” “India stands ready to support efforts towards strengthening the normative architecture for protection of civilians.