'Conflict entrepreneurs' still enjoy much latitude in Pak: Dy

A senior official of the outgoing UPA government today said that "conflict entrepreneurs" in Pakistan are working hard to create an atmosphere of "animosity" against India.
Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) Nehchal Sandhu said it is expected that in the coming days, "launching pads" along the Pakistan border will be "re-activated and determined attempts will be made for infiltration".
"Even though there has been an orderly transition in mid-2013 from one democratically-elected government to another, conflict entrepreneurs in Pakistan continue to strive hard to sustain and entrench an atmosphere of animosity against the Indian state," Sandhu said at an event organised by Border Security Force here.

"As we head into summers, launching pads are likely to be re-activated and determined attempts will be made for infiltration. The burden for thwarting the same will essentially fall upon BSF," he told the gathering of men and officers of the paramilitary force as he delivered the annual 'Rustamji Memorial' lecture.
Nawaz Sharif is the current prime minister of Pakistan after winning elections last year. India's prime minister -elect Narendra Modi has extended an invitation to Sharif to attend his swearing-in ceremony on May 26, although the latter's participation in it is still unconfirmed.
Sandhu, a former chief of the Intelligence Bureau (IB), said an array of terrorist groups, which have earlier perpetrated violence and killings in India, continue to enjoy "much latitude" in Pakistan.

"The Pakistan council -- which includes Jamaat-ud-Dawa, a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba -- is one such platform. An array of terrorist groups, which have previously exhibited the ability to carry out operations in several states of India, continue to enjoy much latitude in Pakistan and they remain very active," Sandhu said.

He said restrictions on those terror groups in Pakistan, which conducted the worst terror attack in India in 2008 in Mumbai, "evaporated" a few years ago.
"Limitations imposed on their (terror groups') recruitment schemes, training venues, fund collection mechanisms and infiltration platforms in the immediate aftermath of November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai evaporated a few years ago. Sections of the state apparatus continue to extend support to these groups. Unrestrained outpouring of vituperative propaganda against India has not caused the Pakistan government to impose any restrictions.

"With the number of cadres available to them, these groups have spare potential despite having dedicated many of their cadres to eastern and central parts of Afghanistan in the last few years," he said.