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.