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India warns Pakistan on LoC violations

NEW DELHI: India said on Tuesday that it had lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over breaches of the military control line in Kashmir and vowed to "combat" such violations.

"The Deputy High Commissioner (of the Pakistan High Commission) was asked to convey to the authorities in Pakistan the need to desist from such violations and to respect at all times the Line of Control..." a foreign ministry statement said after the Pakistani envoy was summoned to the ministry. New Delhi reiterated that Pakistani soldiers attacked an Indian army post near the control line in the Nowshera sector of disputed Kashmir at the weekend, killing seven soldiers. Islamabad has denied the charge.

"The government of India remains firm in its resolve to combat all violations of the Line of Control, including cross-border terrorism and to preserve and maintain the security and territorial integrity of the country," the statement said.

Earlier, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee justified a whopping 28 percent increase in defence expenditure for fiscal 2000/2001 by citing a "deteriorating" security situation.

"Pakistan's activities and statements are clearly intended with the cynical purpose of attracting international attention," the foreign ministry said.-Reuters