Govt sets up cell to monitor Taliban movement

Under the aegis of Union Home Minister P Chidambaram, the ministry has set up a special cell that would monitor movement of the Taliban. There are reports that the Taliban are just 25 kilometers away from the international border in Punjab and could move in towards the border.

Many Hindu families living in Peshawar have fled their homes and crossed over to the Indian side fearing the Taliban.

Despite the fact that the home minister had indicated that Taliban may try to disrupt the polls by launching attacks on top political figures, the ministry is not unduly worried, at least for the time being.

"We have no such report about the Taliban entering India. Still I would cross check with my counterpart in Punjab," a senior Intelligence Bureau official told rediff.com in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Chidambaram had warned that if there are any attempts to disrupt the elections, India will give a befitting reply.