Pak terrorists plotting: PM

Allowed by Singh to convey the hard message,Chidambaram made it clear he had no intention of playing politics on internal security issues and that it was a question of collective responsibility. He was supported by National Security Advisor M K Narayanan who amplified on increasing threats from across the border.

Later,while inaugurating the CMs conference on internal security,Singh described cross-border terrorism as the most pervasive threat and said: There is credible information of ongoing plans of terrorist groups in Pakistan to carry out fresh attacks. The area of operation of these terrorists today extends far beyond the confines of Jammu and Kashmir and covers all parts of our country.

Though additional measures had been put in place after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks,there was need for continued vigilance, he said. The challenges posed by asymmetric warfare and terrorism as also Left wing extremism can only be met through new ideas and more resolute actions and determination. We need to be ahead of the curve if we are to succeed as we must.

He said the situation in Jamp;K had seen substantial improvement but there were some disturbing trends on the horizon.

Levels of infiltration,which had come down very substantially,have seen a surge this year,alongside an increase in attempts at infiltration. The infiltrators appear more battle-hardened,better equipped and in possession of sophisticated communications, he said.

There were signs,he said,of a revival of overground militant activities. Attempts are being made to link isolated and unconnected incidents such as those which occurred in Shopian,Sopore,Baramulla to create an impression of a groundswell of anti-national feeling. All this shows that efforts to disturb the current status quo have not been given up, he said.

Asked to comment on the Prime Ministers remarks,Chidambaram later said: The gravity of the threat has in no way diminished. The threat remains. We cannot afford to lower our guard and we shall not lower our guard. But there is no specific information on an imminent attack on India tomorrow or day after. We should keep our powder dry.

Singh told the conference that security agencies needed to be prepared for countering more sophisticated technologies and enhanced capabilities. We also need to guard our sea frontier as vigilantly as our land border.

A piecemeal approach will simply not work given the nature of challenges we face. Not only do we need more information sharing,we also need synchronized action. Let me assure all the states that the Centre will not be found wanting in this regard, he said.

Singh said that Naxalite groups had inflicted heavy casualties on security forces and there were indications of more offensive action by these groups.

The problem of Left wing extremism is indeed a complex one. There is need for a balanced and nuanced strategy to deal with it. On the one hand,the state should discharge its responsibilities and obligations and re-establish the rule of law in areas dominated by Naxalites. At the same time,we should work towards removing the causes which lead to alienation of people and problems like Naxalism, he said.

Acknowledging an overall improvement in the North East,he said the situation in some states particularly in Assam,Manipur and Nagaland remains problematic and worrisome.

Assam and Manipur account for a disproportionately large number of violent incidents reported from the North East with the latters share being as high as 30 per cent. In Assam,the Centre had sanctioned an amount of Rs 750 crore for development of Bodo areas. But the utilisation of these funds remains unsatisfactory. The resettlement and rehabilitation of those affected by the violence in Bodo areas and North Cachar Hills is a matter of concern. Manipur is plagued by a large number of militant outfits. The government of Manipur needs to put in place appropriate mechanisms for increased participation of people in developmental projects, he said.

Singh said states like Maharashtra and Karnataka need to exercise greater vigil to maintain communal peace. Karnataka,in particular,has witnessed a number of communal incidents during this year. What is more worrisome is that the incidents were not limited to one or two districts, he said.