Nirmali (Bihar): Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on June 6 said terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir have declined marginally in past few months but asked Pakistan to completely halt sponsoring terrorism in the state for resumption of dialogue between the two countries.

"Terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir have come down marginally over the last few months but for any dialogue to be fruitful, Pakistan will have to completely remove the sword of terrorism," he said after laying the foundation stone for Rs 323-crore mega rail bridge over river Kosi.

On fresh peace initiative with Pakistan, Vajpayee said, "It reflects our sincerity of purpose. We want to narrow our distance with the neighbour."

He said, "We have fought three wars and both the countries should realise that nothing can be achieved through war. We must understand that we can make friends of our choice and not neighbours and neighbours must live in peace."

PTI