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"India has been the soul of restraint and maturity in its reaction to these terrible events," an external affairs ministry spokeswoman said. "But let that not be mistaken as a sign of weakness or softness when it comes to dealing with the situation."
Describing the massacre of Amarnath pilgrims as an act of unmitigated terrorism, she said, "We have always said that we continue to be extremely concerned about the activities generated by terrorism in our neighbourhood and on sovereign Indian territory as a result of support received from cross-border forces."
"In all previous instances involving such terrorist attacks, investigations have consistently revealed that the perpetrators are members of terrorist outfits directly linked to Pakistan," she added.
India, the spokeswoman asserted, has "every reason and every right to defend our security and to act with firmness and determination against those who threaten our sovereignty and security and to resolutely resist the forces of terrorism".
She stressed that the international community could not afford to "let up on, and indeed must intensify, its efforts to eliminate the forces of terrorism".
The spokeswoman said the latest incident illustrated that the communication network of the terrorists and their sponsors "is still alive and kicking".
Reflecting India's dismay at the double standards adopted by the United States and some other countries on the issue, she said, "There can only be one standard that applies to terrorism wherever and whenever it occurs, that no cause whatsoever can justify it."
Terming terrorism as a 'crime against humanity', she said no alibis could be advanced to camouflage its evil intent.
In a clear reference to Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's recent commitments to end the infiltration of terrorists, she said these pledges were yet to be honoured.
PTI
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