New Delhi: The recent Pakistani steps to ease tensions was a direct fall out of India's diplomatic offensive against terrorism globally and continued successes of the security forces, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani said today (Dec 1,2003).

"The steps taken by Pakistan is attributable to two factors; the success achieved by our security forces on the ground and the international condemnation of terrorism at the behest of India," he said in his speech at the 38th raising day of the Border Security Force (BSF).

Stating that India had reciprocated the Pakistani gesture of ceasefire, Advani, however, warned that it did not mean that security forces should lower their guard as terrorism still continued.

"There has already been a lot of infiltration. Several militants were camping inside the country and killing innocent people. Therefore, it is more important not be complacent and to be alert...cross border terrorism has not stopped," Advani said.

Maintaining that any improvement in relations between India and Pakistan was welcome, he said, "We should not forget that Pakistan is not a democratic country and was headed by a military ruler. Any military ruler or regime only thrives on the fact that there is tension between the two countries."

He said another major factor of worry for the country was the illegal immigration from Bangladesh.

PTI