Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

ISI hand?

Mumbai Police Commissioner A.N. Roy has stated in unambiguous terms that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence masterminded the Mumbai serial blasts on July 11, and even sent the deadly RDX explosives used in the blasts. The ISI could not have done so without President Pervez Musharraf's consent. Yet the General has been denying Pakistan's involvement. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh even signed an agreement with him for constituting a joint mechanism to counter terror in the subcontinent. If the UPA Government continues with the charade of normalising ties with Pakistan, the people will not forgive it.

Raji V. Subramanian,
Mumbai

It is clear that despite the ongoing peace process, there has been no let-up in the ISI's design to kill and maim innocent Indians. Pakistan continues to be the epicentre of terrorism and a rogue state. India must put it on notice saying if it does not end terrorism, New Delhi will act with or without the support of the international community.

M.M. Kotian,
Bangalore

Pakistan's statement describing India's charge as "irresponsible" and "unsubstantiated" sounds hollow. India should give evidence of the ISI's involvement not only to Pakistan but also to various international forums. The sooner we expose Pakistan the better.

Venu C. Nair,
Nileshwar, Kerala

Islamabad's assertion that it will cooperate with New Delhi if it shares evidence of the involvement of any element in Pakistan but will not handover anybody (Oct. 3) is confusing. If a Pakistani national is found to be involved in acts of terror in India what will Islamabad do? Will it try him in Pakistan? Does India have no right to seek his extradition? Pakistan should clarify. Otherwise the whole exercise will be a waste of time.

N. Nagesh,
Chennai

What purpose will the furnishing of evidence serve if Pakistan is not ready to hand over anyone? We can instead submit the evidence to the United Nations and demand that Pakistan be declared a terrorist state.

J.N. Mahanty,
Puri

Even if India goes to the doorstep of Pakistan armed with "facts robust enough to survive the most sceptical scrutiny" as suggested in the editorial "Stern tests ahead" (Oct. 3), what action can one expect from a country that has granted a "different status" to the perpetrators of terror in India by virtue of their association with the so-called "freedom struggle?" Only when it comes to the West will Islamabad be more than happy to do all it can, including "handing over" suspects, for reasons known to all.

Harish Betha,
Mangalore

Pakistan's `no' to handing over wanted persons comes as no surprise. How can it hand over anyone when it is responsible for encouraging cross-border terrorism and providing support to the enemies of India? We should immediately halt the peace process and withdraw all initiatives.

T.S. Vaidyaraman,
Chennai

For the anti-terror mechanism to work, the intelligence agencies of the two countries have to share information. But how can this be done with the ISI still actively encouraging terrorism in our country?

S. Sudhir Kumar,
Hyderabad

In view of the Mumbai police's revelation, one wonders whether the joint mechanism is relevant. Had the report come earlier, would the Prime Minister have signed an agreement with a country that sponsors terrorist acts on Indian soil? The Government must deal with Pakistan with an iron hand instead of making peace overtures.

D. Kesav Sundar,
Visakhapatnam

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