India must destroy terror infrastructures on Pakistani soil: Prominent Muslim cleric

In the wake of the recent spurt in terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, a prominent Muslim cleric on Sunday said India "should cross the border, target and destroy terrorist infrastructures that exist on Pakistani soil" to end killings of civilians and security forces personnel.

"To end everyday terrorist attacks sponsored and aided from the Pakistani soil in which our brave soldiers, policemen and even the common citizens die, we should cross the border, target and destroy terrorist infrastructures that exist on the Pakistani soil," said Maulana Athar Hussain Dehlavi. Dehlavi is the chairman of the Anjuman Minhaje Rasool, an Islamic organisation working for peace and communal harmony.

He said the recent terrorist attacks were a display of "frustration" of the Pakistani side following the huge voter turnouts that the state witnessed in the first two phases of Assembly elections.

"Pakistan is frustrated with the huge voter turnouts in the first two phases, that is why it is using the terrorists to disrupt the poll process," Dehlavi said.

Dehlavi said terrorist leaders like Hafiz Saeed were spewing venom against India and alleged that was being aided by the Pakistani establishment. Dehlavi said the huge voter turnouts in the first two phases were a victory of "ballot over bullet". "The real agenda in the ongoing Assembly elections in the state is development and the huge turnouts are example of the victory of ballot over bullet," he said.