India welcomes Pakistan military offensive against Taliban

Source: Xinhua | 05-08-2009 14:27

NEW DELHI, May 8 (Xinhua) -- India has welcomed Pakistan's recent military offensive to eliminate the Taliban militia from its North Western Forntier Province areas, including the Swat Valley, saying it would be good for the "whole world".

"We believe Taliban should be contained. It is in the interest of Pakistan, it is in the interest of the whole world because Taliban spreads nothing but violence. It is a dreaded terrorist organization," Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told the media Thursday at Jangipur in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal, where he was running as member of parliament.

Pakistan's security forces have launched a military offensive, using artillery, gunship helicopters and fighter jets in operations against the Taliban in Buner, Dir and Swat districts of the North West Frontier Province.

Close to 300 militants and over 20 security personnel have been killed in the fighting so far.

Editor:Zhang Yun