Quetta attack: Parrikar likens Pak to demon

New Delhi, October 25

Citing the example of 'Bhasmasur', Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday expressed regret over the loss of lives in the deadly attack on a police training academy in Pakistan's Quetta that left 60 cadets dead, saying such incidents show why one should not create "uncontrollable violence".

He also rejected Pakistan's allegations of India's involvement in the attack, saying India does not believe in violence, lest such kind of violence.

Parrikar clarified that he was not likening any country to any 'sur' (demon in Hindu mythology) when asked about the Quetta attack and said there is a saying in India about Bhasmasur.

According to the Hindu mythology, 'Bhasmasur' was a demon who was burned to ashes through his own power that he used to terrorise others with.

"I express grief for any loss of life. We don't believe in violence and this kind of violence. My sympathies are with people who lost their lives. Terrorism anywhere and in any form cannot be justified," he said while speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the naval commanders conference.

The Defence Minister said the attack shows the importance of not creating uncontrollable violence.

"You need to control anything that the state does.

Non-state actors should not be supported by any country. That is crux of our security doctrine. We have said that non-state actors, who are involved in terrorism, should be curtailed.

Sometimes it can bounce on you also. I think this is one of such event," Parrikar said.

In a brazen attack, 60 police cadets were killed and 118 others injured when three militants wearing suicide vests stormed a police training academy in Quetta city in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province. — PTI