ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: In response to massive troop build-up by India in the border areas, Pakistan has also deployed additional troops along the line of control to meet any eventuality.

This was stated by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Abbas Sarfaraz Khan here on Monday while talking to newsmen at a function held here at Masihi Ittehad Church in connection with Christmas.

The minister said Pakistan would take all necessary steps to counter any aggressive designs of India.

He said Pakistani troops deployed at the LoC had been told to be on high alert to safeguards the territorial limits of the country.

Responding to a question about two recently-banned Jihadi outfits, Lashkar-i-Taiba and UTN, the minister said it was an internal affair of Kashmir.

“It is solely an internal affair of Kashmir that which Jihadi organizations are fighting for the freedom of Kashmir,” he added.

However, he said some elements were damaging the national interests by issuing anti-state statements while sitting in Pakistan. Talking about attack on the Indian parliament, the minister said that India was trying to get Pakistan declared a terrorist state by implicating Pakistan in incidents of terrorism.

“If Pakistan is really involved in the attack then why India is not ready to get the inquiry conducted by international observers,” he asked.

“Actually India has no evidence about the involvement of Pakistan in the attack, otherwise, it would not have hesitated in conducting the enquiry,” the minister said.

To a question, the minister ruled out the possibility of Osama bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan.

About the fate of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, he said they had to go back to their country as the situation was gradually improving.

“I have written a letter to the UN, asking it to convene a tripartite meeting of representatives of the UN, Pakistan and the Afghan government for the repatriation of refugees,” he said.

He said Pakistan would shortly establish diplomatic relations with the Afghan government by opening a consulate.