General Kapoor says security forces are prepared to face Taliban

Deepak KapoorNew Delhi, Oct 19 : Chief of Army Staff General Deepak Kapoor on Monday said that India would give a befitting reply to Taliban if they indulge in sabotage in the country.

General Kapoor said what Taliban has done in Pakistan is their internal issue, but India is prepared to face them.

"I would just like to say what Taliban has done in Pakistan is their internal issue. As far as we are concerned, we don''t have any doubt that if Taliban indulges in sabotage in our country, we will give them a befitting reply," said General Kapoor.

General Kapoor said whenever there is turbulence in any particular region there is always some spillover effect.

"What we would like is that there is a degree of peace and stability in our neighbouring countries including Pakistan. But whenever there is turbulence in any particular region there is always some spillover effect in the neighbouring countries that is something we all need to guard against," said General Kapoor.

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister A K Antony said that India is prepared to battle Taliban or any other extremist related threat from any other quarter.

This statement came after Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud threatened to dispatch terrorists to fight India once an Islamic state was created in Pakistan.

In a footage aired by Britain''s Sky News channel, Hakimullah said: "We want an Islamic state. If we get that, then we will go to the borders and help fight the Indians."

Describing the situation in Pakistan as very ''serious'', Antony said terrorism is spreading.

Antony also said it was not correct for him to comment on Iran''s claim that a Pakistan hand was involved in the suicide bomb attack on Iran Revolutionary Guard commanders in the south-eastern part of the country on Sunday. (ANI)