No business as usual with Pakistan

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh warned Tuesday that there "cannot be business as usual" with neighbouring Pakistan after last week's deadly flare-up along the border in disputed Kashmir. "It cannot be business as usual" with Pakistan, he told reporters on the sidelines of an army function. "What has happened is unacceptable," he added in reference to the killing of two Indian soldiers, one of whom was beheaded. "Those responsible for this crime will have to be brought to book." Singh's comments came a day after commanders of the rival armies traded protests over the border exchanges. The Indian government has accused Pakistani soldiers of crossing into Indian territory and killing two of its soldiers on January 8. Pakistan denies its troops were involved in any such incident and has accused Indian troops of killing two of its soldiers. Foreign ministers of both sides have warned against escalating tensions. But the Indian army chief of staff told his commanders Monday to respond "aggressively" to any future Pakistani firing across the heavily-militarised de facto border in divided Kashmir, known as the Line of Control. India's chief military commander in Kashmir cranked up pressure Tuesday on Pakistan, saying Monday's border meeting aimed at calming tensions was fruitless. "We accused them of carrying out the barbaric attack... we insisted that the head be returned," Lieutenant General K. T. Parnaik told a press conference in the Kashmir garrison town of Akhnoor. "We (also) drew their attention to the frequent firing in the area," the Press Trust of India quoted the general as saying "At the end of the meeting, they were as arrogant and adamant -- not ready to admit anything. We do not believe in reacting in hate and anger. We have our plans. We will react in time," the general added.