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Peace talks will be difficult: Sharief

Ovais Subhani in Karachi

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief today said that Tuesday's downing of a Pakistani naval plane by India would make peace talks between the countries more difficult.

''It will complicate the matter,'' Sharief said when asked how the incident would affect peace talks, already set back by the rivals' recent dispute.

''This is a very serious violation of all principles, all international laws and agreements,'' he told reporters after the emotional funeral ceremony for the 16 officers and sailors killed in the incident.

Sharief disputed New Delhi's statements that the plane was downed in Indian territory after acting in an aggressive manner.

''It was a very barbaric act and I think it was also a very cowardly act,'' Sharief said.

A report from Islamabad said that a Kashmiri militant group today vowed to avenge India's shooting down of the plane.

Sayed Salahuddin, the supreme commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, said this in a statement.

UNI

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