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India's home minister attacks Pakistan

India's home minister, L.K. Advani, launched a fierce verbal attack against Pakistan on Jan. 9, further testing relations between the two countries. Advani's comments were made during a diplomatic trip to Washington

The comments came even as U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Jan. 9 that he would visit South Asia on a peace mission beginning Jan. 15.

India blames Pakistani intelligence for supporting two Pakistan-based militant groups that carried out a Dec. 13 attack on its parliament. Pakistan denies the charge and has condemned the attack.

Advani vowed to fight "Pakistani-sponsored cross-border terrorism to the finish."

He called for immediate action from Pakistan on a series of demands related to the militants.

The demands included the handover of 20 militants referred to by India as "terrorists" and the closure of training camps and funding of terrorist groups in Pakistan.

Advani also urged Pakistan to stop militants from crossing the line of control in disputed Kashmir.

Pakistan has arrested key members of two militant groups, drawing U.S. praise.

Powell praised Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf for his actions, but urged him to act on the list of 20 militants India handed to Pakistan.

Advani's visit to the U.S. came amid signs of increasing Indian frustration with the U.S. stance toward Pakistan — a key ally in America's war on terrorism.

Shukan ST: Jan. 18, 2002

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