Pakistan: Don't let terrorists drag us to war
Asif Ali Zardari fears growing tensions with India
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Monday, 01, Dec 2008 11:16
Asif Ali Zardari has called for unity after terrorist attacks in India's financial capital Mumbai.
Reports that the violence, which is feared could result in the deaths of 200 people, was linked to a Pakistani militant group Lashkar-i-taiba have prompted growing popular anger against Pakistan from India's government and citizens.
Pakistani president Mr Zardari said he hopes Indians will realise Pakistan's struggle against extremist militants emerging from its mountainous region bordering Afghanistan is linked to its own security concerns.
"The architects of this calamity in Mumbai have managed to raise a threat on our other eastern border," he told the Financial Times newspaper.
"As we have these people militants on the run along our western border [with Afghanistan], our attention is being diverted at this critical time... who do you think we are fighting?"
Mr Zardari blamed "non-state actors" for causing recent wars, including those responsible for the September 11th attacks on the US and insurgents in Iraq.
"Now, events in Mumbai tell us that there are ongoing efforts to carry out copycat attacks by militants," he continued.
"We must all stand together to fight out this menace."
New Delhi has accused "Pakistani elements" of involvement in Mumbai's violence. Analysts fear relations between the two traditionally antagonistic powers could be destabilised as a result of the terrorist attacks.