Pak has to shut terror camps in its territory to ensure Indo-Pak peace: US Intelligence official

Lahore, Feb.14 (ANI): The United States has reiterated that tension between India and Pakistan can only be diffused if Islamabad comes down hard on the terror camps operative on its soil.

US Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair said the key for establishing peace in the region was with Islamabad, which has to sincerely carry out an all-out effort to crackdown on terrorists.

Blair also expressed apprehensions that India may be forced to launch a military offensive against its neighbour, if Pakistan fails to take stern action against militant groups.

Referring to the November 2008 Mumbai attacks, he said the mayhem has ignited fears of war between the two nuclear-powered nations.

"The attack has convinced many Indians that Pakistani military leaders, in an effort to undercut India's emerging international stature, now favour a strategy of allowing Pakistan-based groups to attack targets that symbolises New Delhi's growing prominence on the global stage or that could provoke religious violence in the country," The Daily Times quoted Blair, as saying.

He said after the Mumbai incident, Indian citizens have shown immense unity, and are in no mood to forget the ghastly act. New Delhi is under immense pressure from its citizens to act hard on the terrorists, which is visible by the tough stand of their leadership over the issue.

"In the absence of a military response against Islamabad, the Indian public will look for visible signs that Pakistan is actively working to punish those involved and eliminate terrorist organizations," Blair said. (ANI)