'ISI continuously sponsoring terrorism, helping infiltration'

New Delhi, Aug 16: Pakistan's intelligence agency -- ISI is continuously sponsoring terrorist infrastructure in that country to help infiltration into India, Lok Sabha was informed today (Aug 16).

"As per available inputs of central intelligence and security agencies, Pakistan has not yet dismantled the terrorist infrastructure in the territory under their control. This infrastructure continues to be sponsored by Pakistan ISI to recruit, train, finance arm and infiltrate terrorists into India," the government said in a written reply.

Known anti-India elements and those declared as fugitives from the law in India continue to be provided sanctuary in Pakistan, Minister of State for Home Jitendra Singh said.

"According to media reports, following the killing of Osama Bin Laden in a US Special Forces operation in Abbottabad, in May 2011, the Director-General of ISI in his address to an in-camera joint session of Pakistan's Parliament purportedly said that in case India attempted any similar operation in Pakistan it would invite a befitting response from Pakistan as targets inside the country had already been identified and rehearsal carried out," the Minister said while replying to a question on a statement made by the Chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) recently.

"Government remains vigilant and takes all necessary steps to safeguard country's national security," Singh said.

Singh added that the government "is aware of the nefarious designs and activities of the ISI and its agents." "During the period 2001-2011 (till July 31 this year) a total of 174 Pak-based espionage modules were neutralized by central and state intelligence and security agencies," he said.

PTI