(a)whether Pakistan tried to make Hurriyat Conference set up a central co-ordinating body in London and stepped up efforts to unite mercenary groups under the banner of Kashmir Liberation Army prior to the visit of US President Bill Clinton to India;
(b)if so, the details thereof; and
(c)the reaction of the Government thereto?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SHRI AJIT KUMAR PANJA)
(a)&(b) Government are aware of reports of Pakistan seeking to encourage the leadership of the Hurriyat Conference to set up offices in London, Geneva and other Western capitals, to provide a cover for Pakistan`s hostile propaganda against India. Government are also aware of reports that Pakistan has been making efforts, and also encouraging some terrorist organisations based in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir, to unite under a common banner to step up cross-border terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir and elsewhere in India.
(c) Government remain firm in their resolve to take all necessary measures to preserve the security and territorial integrity of the country. While Government will continue to scrupulously maintain its policy of restraint, it will effectively respond, as it has demonstrated in the past, to any threat to our security and territorial integrity.