|
TERRORISM |
ISI
still training militants, attacks will continue: NSA
New Delhi, March 26: National
Security Advisor M K Narayanan on Wednesday said that attacks on India from
Pakistani soil would continue, as the Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) continues
to train militant groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Narayanan, who was delivering the 25th
Air Chief Marshal P C Lal memorial lecture in the Capital, said India wants
stability in Pakistan but is concerned about the “strong pockets” of
anti-Indian sentiment in the country, particularly within the ISI.
“We see no change in the attitude of
ISI to mentor terrorist activities of the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad.
Attacks on India from the soil of Pakistan will continue,” he said.
Narayanan said that Pakistan continues to
follow an India-specific military strategy and is acquiring weapons systems and
missiles to counter India. He warned that growth of radical elements in Pakistan
would have an adverse effect on the security of India.
Stating that one of the biggest threats
to Indian security emanates from the volatile Pak-Afghan border, he said:
“Suicide bombers are sent out from the areas and we have evidence of terrorist
camps set up there.”
On China, the NSA said that India needs
to build a consensus over the “true intentions” of the country. He said that
India needs to decide whether the country should be treated as a threat or as a
neighbour.
However, Narayanan cautioned that China
and Pakistan continue to have tie-ups in military spheres. “China and Pakistan
are collaborating on nuclear and space capabilities.
They are modernising the Air Force, Army
and Navy. Differences with China continue on the border issue,” he said.
In a significant statement, the NSA
called for a debate on India’s involvement in Afghanistan and said that a
consensus is needed on whether it should go beyond the role of providing
humanitarian assistance.