Author: Our Special Correspondent
Publication: The Hindu
Date: August 7, 2002
The Army is taking the spurt in
terrorist violence in Jammu & Kashmir in its stride, but has become
apprehensive about the eastern flank where reports have suggested renewed
efforts by Pakistan's Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) to link up with
militant outfits in the region.
Pakistan's strategy of pressuring
India from its east is not new but the policy has received fresh stimulus
due to the changed situation.
Nepal is no longer a safe haven
for the ISI for staging anti-India activities.
On the other hand, Bangladesh has
a new regime some of whose components have rarely hidden their animosity
to Delhi and a preference for Islamabad.
Official sources said that even
as the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, was apologising for his Army's
excesses in Bangladesh, a senior officer of the entourage was in touch
with the ULFA leadership based in Bangladesh.
"The congregation of the ULFA leadership
in Dhaka was no coincidence.
"Detailed talks were being carried
out on the sidelines of the visit and the Military Secretary to Gen. Musharraf,
Nadeem Taj, was given a detailed progress card," the sources said. Reports
suggested that arms and funds have been offered to the ULFA leadership.
It is under tremendous pressure
from the Army in Assam and given the stand taken by Bhutan, its bases in
the jungles there might also come under pressure.
The ULFA is also burdened with the
support of the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), which operates near
the vital Chicken Neck, the narrow corridor linking eastern India with
the heartland.
The Army feels that the ISI mighattempt
to link up the ULFA with the Al-Qaeda activists who have entered Bangladesh.
"By merging its Al-Qaeda recruits
with the Bangladesh population, the ISI has met its commitment of helping
its recruits.
"At the same time it has deflected
the possibility of their discovery by the U.S. intelligence," they maintained.
A similar strategy has been followed in Pakistan.
Some Al-Qaeda activists there have
been relocated in the remote northern areas to keep them out of the eyes
of the United States intelligence as well as keep them primed for an incursion
into Kashmir valley.
Sources also said that the ISI has
maintained its links with the beleaguered KLO chief, Jibon Singh.
The ISI is also establishing contact
with the People's Liberation Army of Manipur.
