Cross-border terrorism goes beyond Pakistan: Chidambaram

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram said on Tuesday that cross-border terrorism was not just limited to Pakistan but has now "reached a few Middle Eastern countries".

He said the definition of cross-border terrorism has changed and terrorism of "jehadi variety is really cross-border terrorism."

"Terrorism of the jehadi variety is really cross border terrorism. Even the definition of cross-border terrorism has... no longer does it cross our border and go into Pakistan. It goes beyond Pakistan. It now reaches a few middle eastern countries," Chidambaram said at a book release function in New Delhi.

Speaking about the internal security threats, he said, "Terrorism of the jehadi variety is just one of kind of terrorism in our country."

He said there are examples of terrorism sponsored by "other religious groups, particularly extreme right-wing Hindu religious group."

He said besides the cross-border terrorism, there is also terrorism driven by fundamentalist groups within Muslims Hindus and Sikhs here.

He said containing cross-border terrorism was difficult compared to Northeast insurgency issues or Naxalism.

"I believe that the problem of insurgency in the Northeast is within our control. By and large it is a problem that we can contain, control and resolve.

"Likewise Maoism or Naxalism is also within our control. We are still debating how to control it. Debate is a good thing."

Talking about the government policy in tackling Naxalism, he completely ruled out the use of army or the air force.

"Policy is not driven only by hard assessments. It is also driven by ethical considerations. We are quite clear that we cannot or ought not to use army or air force. We may have the capacity to do so but we ought not to do so," Chidambaram said.