ISI mark on Naxals

Maoists getting cosy with Pak intelligence agency, terrorist groups

Maoists getting cosy with Pak intelligence agency, terrorist groups

It seems Islamabad is now waving the red rag at New Delhi. There is evidence of growing closeness between Pakistani agencies, particularly the ISI, cross-border terrorist groups and the Maoists. Indian intelligence departments are naturally concerned.

"Their closeness is not limited to supporting Afzal Guru and speaking in favour of the separatist movement in Jammu & Kashmir. In the past few years these factions have come closer and the evidence is there in the literature published by the Naxals," said an official of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) on condition of anonymity.

The officer was responding to the article carried by MiD DAY on Monday which unearthed this deep-rooted nexus. The article is based on one of several in-house journals published by the Naxals, where they voice their ideologies and carryout detailed propaganda in support of their terrorist activities.

The magazine, which does not carry a name, has openly supported death row parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. MiD DAY has a copy of the journal. One of the articles also mentions a Naxal congress, which passed a resolution in support of Guru and separatist movements in J&K. It also accuses the Indian government of hatching a conspiracy to eliminate Guru.

But the biggest worry is the possibility of ISI facilitating the Maoists from neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Nepal, where both Naxals and Pakistani terrorist groups have formed their bases.

"The politburo members of CPI (ML) have already voiced their support for terror attacks in the country. Top Naxal leaders like Ganapati too have supported the violence in Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere," said former director, Intelligence Bureau, Ajit Doval. Another Naxal ideologue Varavara Rao has been found supporting anti-national interests of the groups, which have shown a marked change in their thought process.

Doval also pointed out that the Naxals, apart from speaking in favour of Pakistan-based terrorist groups, have

Dantewada perpetrators held

The Chhattisgarh police arrested six persons, including self-styled Naxal commander Barsa Lakhma, allegedly involved in the killing of 76 security personnel in Dantewada April 6, the biggest attack on security personnel in post-Independence India. The others arrested are: Oyam Hidma, Podiyami Hidma, Kawasi Budra, Oya Ganga, Dura Joga.

been garnering support for SIMI, which is accused of carrying out serials blasts in the country.

It's not just the intelligence agencies that are getting these reports. Delhi police during the interrogation of Mohammad Umar Madni - the self-styled commander of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT)u00a0- had got detailed information about Naxals providing initial training to extremist groups in the country. "The report shows how Naxals were providing basic training after which the cadres of Muslim extremist groups were sent to Pakistan for further seasoning," said former Director General, Border Security Force (BSF), Prakash Singh.

He added that the possibility of Maoists having links to ISI can not be ruled out. "We have to keep our eyes and ears open as some arrangement is taking place between Naxals and foreign terrorist groups," he said.