Terror foremost challenge for Asean countries: Parrikar

New Delhi, Oct 6:

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Thursday called terrorism the “foremost challenge” for the Asean member-countries, adding that there is a need to delegitimise it as an instrument of state policy.

Parrikar said: “Terrorism remains foremost challenge to our (Asean) region. We need to oppose terrorism resolutely everywhere, delegitimise it as an instrument of state policy, and cooperate unreservedly to locate and destroy terrorist networks.”

He was speaking at the 20th Asean Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities meet here.

“The security frameworks in our (Asean) region still does not give enough attention to terrorism. This must change,” he added.

The comments came amid continued tension along India-Pakistan border following the attack at an Indian Army camp at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers.

A surgical strike was conducted by the Indian Army in the night between September 28 and 29 on terror launch pads across the Line of Control in Pakistan-administered Kashmir that further escalated the tension.

A camp of 30 Rashtriya Rifles was attacked by militants on Thursday as well in Kashmir’s Kupwara district. In the gun battle, three terrorists were killed by the army. (IANS)