New Delhi, Sep 11 (TIWN) On this day in 2001, when aircraft-borne terrorists struck the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in New York, it was a direct assault on the heart of the US, giving credence to what India had always been saying that Pakistan is the exporter of global terrorism.

Before September 11, 2001, India had borne a lot of brunt of terror exported by Pakistan for over two decades, first in Punjab and then in Jammu and Kashmir. But whenever Indian leaders told the US leadership about it, they would dismiss it as a "law and order" problem.     No amount of evidence would convince Washington that it was not a "law and order" problem but pure terrorism, sponsored by Pakistan to destabilize India.  However, when it started investigation into the 9/11 attacks and found links that led to Pakistan, through Afghanistan, the US perspective changed forever.  It took cognizance of the fact that terrorism was being nurtured in Pakistan and issued stern warnings to the then General Pervez Musharraf-led nation to wind up all such activities or Pakistan would be "bombed to stone age".  A cunning Musharraf immediately changed colours -- from an organizer of terror, he pretended to join the war against terror.