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Mumbai bombings

'India's impossible war on terror' (September 2), by Humphrey Hawksley, is based on the false assumption that all afflictions suffered by India can be traced to Pakistan's doorstep.

Even before investigations into the recent bombings in Mumbai had reached any conclusions, Hawksley had reached his: this was the work of groups supported by Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. As it turns out, a single Muslim family motivated by a desire to avenge the deaths of over 2,000 Muslims in Gujarat in a state-sponsored pogrom is now in custody.

India is confronting serious internal challenges. The repression of the Kashmiri people, some 70,000 of whom have lost their lives at the hands of Indian occupiers, creates its own dynamics.

Add to this the increasing intolerance of minorities manifested in atrocities and one sees why there would be home-grown elements set on settling scores with the government.

It is about time that this needless finger-pointing stopped. There is a nascent peace process between the two countries that has to be allowed to take root. False and bitter accusations will not help.

Imagining scenarios of a nuclear holocaust does no good. Saner voices are needed at a time when both countries seem to have a shared desire for building bridges to peace.

ZAHEER PERVAIZ KHAN, Consul (Consular),

Consulate-General of Islamic Republic of Pakistan

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