Obama to ask Pakistan to take stern, decisive action against Lashkar-e-Taiba

Washington, Apr 12(ANI): A senior United States official has said that U.S. President Barack Obama will ask Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani to take stern and decisive action against banned militant organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

According to the official, despite the fact that the Strategic Plan Division of the Pakistan National Command Authority has about 10,000 trained soldiers to protect country's nuclear weapons and the infrastructure that produces it, the US still believes that a major threat comes from the LeT.

The official also said President Obama in his meeting with Prime Minister Gilani would appreciate Pakistan's role in dealing with the terrorists in Swat and tribal areas of Pakistan.

He will also renew the US pledge to overcome Pakistan's energy crisis, strengthen democratic institutions and country's economy, The News reports.

However, President Obama will be very frank and open in telling the visiting Prime Minister that it would be in the interest of Pakistan and the world to take action against LeT without any delay, he added.

The organization is banned as a terrorist organization by India, Pakistan, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Russia and Australia.

The LeT is currently based in Muridke (near Lahore) and operates several training camps in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

It was held responsible by the Indian Government for the December 23, 2000 attack in Red Fort, New Delhi, and the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.

Gilani, who is in Washington to attend the Nuclear Security Summit, will have an extensive meeting with the US President during his stay.

President Obama is also likely to tell Gilani that US will be open in considering all options, including the civilian nuclear technology, to overcome Pakistan's energy crisis. (ANI)