India should not consider surgical strikes on Pak: Musharraf

Islamabad, Jan 10 (PTI) India should not consider
surgical strikes against Pakistan in the wake of the Mumbai
attacks, former President Pervez Musharraf said Saturday,
insisting that Islamabad is prepared to respond to any
eventuality with "full force."

"We have maintained a force level which is adequate for
deterrence. And we have the resolve to use the force if there
is any danger," he told reporters here when asked about the
possibility of India carrying out surgical strikes.

The country would respond to any eventuality with full
force, he said ahead of his departure for the US to deliver
guest lectures.

"In my opinion, surgical strikes cannot be carried out in
Pakistan," he said.

Musharraf said threatening statements would only create
tension and people should not make such statements for
"political expediency".

Replying to a question, he said the Mumbai attacks had
led to war hysteria in both India and Pakistan.

The former military ruler, who resigned last year to
avoid impeachment by the PPP-led ruling coalition, refused to
comment on the government's handling of the situation in the
wake of the Mumbai attacks.

"Let them handle it. We expect the best," he said.

Musharraf also rubbished the "do more" rhetoric of the US
and said there was no secret understanding by his regime with
America for cross-border drone attacks and military operations
in Pakistan's tribal areas.

"There was a clear policy that only the Pakistan Army
will operate (in the tribal areas) and no other army will
operate there," he said.

"I reject the call for 'do more'. We have sacrificed more
than any other country (in the war on terror). We lost 1,500
soldiers and the same number of civilians. We arrested 600 to
700 al-Qaeda suspects, including 20 to 25 senior leaders," he
added.

"The call for us to 'do more' amounts to demoralising us.
This is absolutely unacceptable. They should encourage us."

Stating that the root causes of terrorism need to be
addressed, Musharraf added that the time had come to resolve
the Kashmir and Palestine issues.

"Political disputes like Palestine and Kashmir have to be
resolved. Israel has adopted a regressive policy to deal with
the issue by attacking Palestinians in Gaza. They are
deteriorating the situation.

"The attacks will promote terrorism. I condemn the
attacks in strong terms. If you attack, the situation will
become complicated. The whole world must realise this," he
said. PTI RHL
SAK
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