New Delhi (PTI): Welcoming the UN Security Council declaring LeT front organisation Jamaat-ud-Dawa as a terrorist group, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma on Thursday said Pakistan should take the necessary steps so that such terror outfits do not operate from its soil.

The forces of terror pose a threat to the civilised world and the international community will have to act in a firm and united manner, he told reporters outside Parliament.

"The international community should have spoken in one voice and they have done it over the Mumbai terror attacks."

"Terror outfits, which have attacked India on many occasions and (were involved) in the recent dastardly attacks in Mumbai, should not be allowed to operate. That is what India has demanded," Sharma said.

"There is no cause which can justify acts of violence and terrorism against innocent civilians, the defenceless citizens of our country or for that matter of any country...There is no religion which gives any sanction to such acts," he said.

Asked whether he is satisfied with the steps taken by Pakistan, Sharma said, "We expect that Pakistan will fulfill the assurances... maintain the necessary steps so that such terror outfits do not operate from there."

"It is in the interest of the entire global community... in the interest of peace and tranquility in our subcontinent.

"And for Pakistan itself, it is in their interest too that they promote peace and harmony and do not allow any force which spreads an atmosphere of terror," he added.

To a query on whether he believes that Pakistan would take concrete action against terrorists after it recently made some arrests under international pressure, the Minister said, "We shall wait and watch."