Over 2,500 ultras in Pakistan terror camps, says MHA

Despite New Delhi’s efforts to strengthen ties with Islamabad, terrorist groups, sheltered and financed by Pakistan  intelligence agency ISI, continue to operate terror camps to target Indian soil.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in the June 5 internal security meeting shared classified information with the Chief Ministers of States on the nefarious design of terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Toiba, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammad.

The MHA told the CMs that around 2,500 militants are undergoing training at 42 terror camps spread in Pakistan. Although the number of infiltration bid has come down considerably in 2013, officials warned that terrorist groups are still active in the valley. There were 249 infiltration attempts by terrorists  in 2012.  

“As per the intelligence input, 230 terrorists have already sneaked into Indian side of the border and holed up in various hideouts in the hills waiting to carry out terror attacks,” the sources said. On May 22, an LeT commander Hilal Maulvi, was shot dead by security forces at his hideout.

They said the states have been asked to strengthen the intelligence apparatus to thwart terror attacks. In the past 2 to 3 years, the focus was to make the border impenetrable for terrorists planning to sneak into India.    During the meeting, it was agreed that security agencies will go after terrorists hiding in various states. The government sources said the states have also been directed to ensure that democratic process is followed to instil confidence among people while heeding to their concerns. 

Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also mentioned that the rate of terrorist incidents decreased by 35 per cent in 2012 compared to 2011 and a significant decline in all types of casualties was registered in 2012.

The Centre in coordination with the state governments has adopted a multi-pronged approach to contain cross-border infiltration.

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