India accuses Pak of creating a war hysteria to divert attention New Delhi

Demands dismantling of terror camps Hand over fugitives
: India today accused Pakistan of creating war “hysteria” in a bid to divert attention from the Mumbai terror attacks and demanded that it should dismantle terrorist camps estimated to number over 30 along with handing over fugitives of Indian law.

Rejecting Islambad’s contention that India had mobilised its army and air force, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here that there was no question of such mobilisation. Only normal winter exercises conducted every year had taken place.

Telling Pakistan that “there is no need of creating an atmosphere or some sort of hysteria”, the minister said that there was no tension as was borne by the fact that India was releasing some 67 Pakistanis detained for visa violations.

Moreover, like in the past, India and Pakistan will be exchanging information on nuclear con?dence building measures on the New Year’s day, he told PTI here.

Mukherjee was clear about what India wants from Pakistan--dismantling of terrorist camps, taking action against those involved in terror attacks and handing over of fugitives of Indian laws like the chief of the banned Jaish e Mohammed (JeM) Masood Azhar. Disagreeing with suggestions that India should recall its High Commissioner from Pakistan and put economic squeeze on Pakistan, he said while it cannot be “business as usual” with Islamabad, “I do feel still we should continue to put pressure diplomatically through international community to achieve our objectives.” DGMOs speak again Meanwhile, with noises over deescalation of tension between India and Pakistan emanating from both sides of the border, the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries today spoke to each other over the hotline, continuing the practice of a call every Tuesday.

The two DGMOs, during the less than half-hour talks, reiterated their positions vis-a-vis reports of troops build-up on either side of the border, dismissing them as speculation, Army sources said here.