No attempt by TTP to set up bases in India, parliament told

The interrogation of arrested terrorists has revealed that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence was promoting terror activities in India by providing shelter, patronage and funding to terrorists, parliament was told Wednesday.

Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary told the Rajya Sabha that there was no attempt by the Pakistani Taliban to set up bases in India.

"A video was uploaded Sep 3, containing the speech of Sheik Eyam Al-Zawahiri of Al Qaeda, in which he announced the establishment of a new wing of Al Qaeda, namely Al Qaeda in Indian subcontinent (AQIS)," Chaudhary said in a written reply.

Asim Umar and Usama Mehmood were appointed the 'amir' and 'spokesperson', respectively, of the AQIS, he said.

The minister said the government has raised the issue of Pakistan's support to terror outfits during home, interior minister, secretary-level and foreign secretary-level talks, and handed over relevant material to the Pakistani authorities.

"As per available inputs, there is no attempt made by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan to set up bases in India," he said.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan - Jamaatul Ahrar (TTP-JA) had claimed responsibility for the suicide attack on the Pakistani side of the Wagah border Nov 2.

"This terror organisation and its all other factions are considered to be hostile to Indian interests and believed to maintain links with the Al Qaeda and Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS)," he said.