All terrorist camps are intact, India tells Pakistan (Roundup)

India Friday once again berated Pakistan for not making "serious and convincing efforts" to eliminate terrorism, saying "all terrorist camps" were intact in that country, including some located close to army bases, and pointed to a Pakistani link to a reported Lashkar terror plot foiled by the FBI.

Unhappy with Pakistan's lack of concrete action over the Mumbai attacks, New Delhi said although it has vital interests in the peace and stability of that country, it will not be possible to resume dialogue till Islamabad makes convincing efforts.

"There are various terrorists groups operating from Pakistan, but despite our repeated requests all terrorist camps are intact. Many of them are in the vicinity of their army bases, Defence Minister A.K. Antony said on the sidelines of a function in New Delhi.

"It is a matter of concern and worry to us," he added.

"Unless Pakistan makes serious and convincing efforts, it won't help in improving our relations with Pakistan, he said.

"We are not lowering our guard, we are eternally vigilant and if something happens we will act accordingly," Antony said in response to a question about what would India's reaction be in case of another terrorist attack.

Stating that there was a real and continuous security threat, the minister said: "We are here to defeat their attempts."

Home Minister P. Chidambaram confirmed a definite Pakistani link to the terror plot uncovered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the US that sought to target the National Defence College (NDC) and elite boarding schools in India, but said Indian security forces were capable of thwarting any attack.

Speaking to journalists after the India-EU summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, however, said he had received no information from Pakistan over a reported Lashkar-e-Taiba terror plot to attack India.

Manmohan Singh emphasized the the need for concerted international action to combat terrorism and emphasised that India has vital stakes in the peace, progress and stability of not only Afghanistan but also Pakistan. Last week, Manmohan Singh extended a hand of friendship to Pakistan and indicated India's willingness to engage in dialogue but linked it with the latter's action against terrorism.

"There is an obvious Pakistan link. If you have read the affidavit of the FBI agent filed in the court and reproduced in papers, there is a Pakistan link. David (Coleman) Headley visited Pakistan a number of times," Chidambaram told reporters in Hyderabad.

"I think on the advise of the FBI, two or perhaps more persons have been arrested in Pakistan. There is a definite Pakistani link," he said.

Asked about the terror plot, Antony said: "We know very well that there are forces who now and then are creating problems in India. We are making all out precautions not only in NDC but across the country."

This is the first reaction from Indian government to reports that terrorists were planning major attacks in India.

US citizen Headley, 49, and Pakistani-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussein Rana, 48, were arrested by the FBI in the US for plotting attacks in India at the behest of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).

They reportedly told FBI during their interrogation that LeT planned attacks on NDC in New Delhi, two high-profile boarding schools in northern India and tourist destinations frequented by foreigners ahead of 26/11 anniversary.

Chidambaram, however, declined to answer queries on possible terror attacks on the eve of the first anniversary of Mumbai attacks.

"If there are any targets I will not tell you in public," he shot back when asked if the intelligence agencies received any inputs on the possible terror targets.

"Don't create alarm. Security forces are vigilant and perfectly capable of thwarting any attack. There is no reason to raise any alarm," he said.

Even as India aired its concerns over threat from Pakistan-based terror groups, Pakistani security forces stormed into Makeen, which is the stronghold of the country's Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud, during the ongoing operations against terrorists in South Waziristan.

mc/tb

( 678 Words)

2009-11-06-18:38:51 (IANS)

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