ISI network spread alarms govt. circles

Ravi Bhatia
The Times of India
June 29, 1999

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Title: ISI network spread alarms govt. circles
Author: Ravi Bhatia
Publication: The Times of India
Date: June 29, 1999

NEW DELHI: Reports of a "working understanding" between the
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan and some underground
separatist groups active in the North-East, West Bengal and the
southern states to carry out subversive activities in case the Kargil
conflict escalates are causing concern among intelligence agencies and
the authorities here.

Intelligence sources said that while a comprehensive contingency plan
was being finalised to counter such activities, the considerable
spread of the ISI network has sent alarm bells ringing in government
circles.  The ISI's activities had hitherto been confined to some
parts of north India, particularly western Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and
Kashmir and Punjab.  "The very fact that it has now spread to the
north-east, West Bengal and even southern India should be a matter of
serious concern," a senior official said.

The recent blowing up of a train carrying soldiers to the Kargil front
at New Jalpaiguri station is more than indicative of this
disconcerting trend and proved beyond doubt the cooperation the ISI
was receiving from some of the underground out-fits like ULFA, senior
intelligence officials said.  Reports of the Eastern Command
Headquarters at Fort William in Calcutta being targeted and the recent
bid to revive militancy in Punjab were also indicative of this trend.

What is worrying the authorities even more is the meticulous planning
with which long-term operatives, known as 'sleepers' in intelligence
parlance, have been placed in most key cities.  These operatives
normally settle in the cities as-signed to them and sometimes even
establish themselves in the community.  A 'sleeper' could stay without
being detected for several years before he is activated, as he is
forbid-den to engage in any illegal activity.

According to intelligence officials, money and materiel have been made
available to some of the separatist groups active in southern India
and the north-east.

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