The hand of Pakistan-based outfits has been observed in most of the terror attacks in India as groups from across the border continue to sponsor terrorist and subversive activities in the country, a government report said on Tuesday.
This has come to light following the apprehension of people suspected to be involved in subversive and terrorist activities in various parts of the country, the Union Home Ministry said in its Annual Report for 2007-08.
"The hand of Pakistan-based terrorist organisations -- LeT and JeM -- and, increasingly of the Bangladesh-based HuJI, known to have close links with the Inter Services Intelligence, has been observed in most of these cases," the 167-page report said.
The incidents showed that these groups have been using sleeper cells in the country to carry out such activities, and have also been using the territory of other neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal, it said.
The report said that as part of its counter measures, the government has banned 32 groups as terrorist organisations under the provisions of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
It also said that the Centre has adopted a multi-pronged approach and strategy for countering the activities of Pakistan's ISI and terrorist groups based in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
"This includes intensive patrolling and surveillance on the borders, including border fencing, floodlighting and strengthening coastal security arrangements to check infiltration," it said.
Deployment of Central para-military forces to aid the state police forces, in areas prone to terrorist violence and heightened vigil and security arrangements in and around vital installations, are among other counter-measures being taken by the security establishment.
The report said regular sharing of intelligence with the state governments and among various agencies was carried out besides strengthening of arrangements and mechanism for intelligence gathering, particularly at the cutting edge level.
Upgradation and modernisation of infrastructure, equipment and weaponry of para-military and state police forces were also ensured to counter terrorism, it said.
The report said the close cooperation and coordination between the central and state intelligence and security agencies has led not only to the busting of a large number of terrorist modules and ISI-backed espionage modules, but has also enabled foiling of terrorist attempts and breakthroughs in a number of cases.
The period under review saw major incidents like the Mecca Masjid blast, followed by twin blasts in Hyderabad, explosions in Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, blast in a cinema hall in Ludhiana, simultaneous blasts in court premises in Uttar Pradesh and attack on a Central Reserve Police Force camp at Rampur in Uttar Pradesh.
The report also said that in view of the linkages between terrorism, drug and arms trafficking, extortion and smuggling of counterfeit currency, the Ministry was considering amendments to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to bring
within its purview all offences related to terrorism and terrorist financing.