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Stepping up of ISI activity in Kashmir feared

A high-level meeting, convened by Home Minister L K Advani, to review the internal security situation in Jammu and Kashmir today expressed serious apprehension that Pakistan's ISI-sponsored proxy war might be intensified. It approved Rs 1.18 billion for implementing the action plan to tackle militancy in the state.

The three-hour session, attended by Defence Minister George Fernandes, state Governor Girish Saxena and state Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, the chiefs of security and intelligence departments and the army chief, felt that there was no change in Pakistan's policy of extending support, both in men and material, to militants.

It was felt that the support could be further consolidated in future, Advani told reporters after the meeting.

The meeting also decided to take effective pre-emptive steps to deal with the militants on the border and in the hinterland to keep up the tempo of the anti-insurgency operation.

The meeting admitted certain shortcomings in anti-militancy operations. ''The most conspicuous is the continuous infiltration of men and material.''

It was decided at the meeting to take remedial action to overcome the shortcomings though the steps were not detailed.

UNI

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