Terror groups in Pak planning fresh attacks: PM

New Delhi, Aug 17 (PTI) Terror groups in Pakistan are
planning to carry out fresh attacks in India and there has
been a surge in infiltration this year which is "disturbing",
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said here Monday.

The area of operation of terrorists Monday extended far
beyond the confines of India's northern state of Jammu and
Kashmir and covers all parts of the country, Singh said while
addressing a conference of the Chief Ministers on Internal
Security.

"There is credible information of ongoing plans of
terrorist groups in Pakistan to carry out fresh attacks,"
Singh told the conference attended by the country's Home
Minister P Chidambaram.

Noting that there were signs of revival of over-ground
militant activities, he said attempts were being made to "link
isolated and unconnected incidents like the one in Shopian,
Sopore and Baramulla to create an impression of a groundswell
of anti-India feeling.

"All this shows that efforts to disturb the current
status quo have not been given up. Fortunately, the annual
Amarnath Yatra passed off without incident, a tribute to the
secular character of Jammu and Kashmir," Singh said.

He said the situation in the state during past few years
has seen a substantial improvement with figures of violence
steadly declining and touching an all time low.

"But there are some disturbing trends. Levels of
infiltration which had come down very substantially have seen
a surge this year, alongside an increase in infiltration
attempts. The infiltrators appear more battle-hardened, better
equipped, and in possession of sophisticated communication
equipment," the Prime Minister said.

Singh said while additional measures after the Mumbai
terror attack last year, cross-border terrorism remains a most
pervasive threat and "there is need for continued vigilance."

"The challenges posed by asymmetric warfare and terrorism
as also left wing extremism can only be met through new ideas
and more resolute actions. We need to be ahead of the curve if
we are to succeed," he said.

Terming Left-wing extremism as a "complex" problem, he
said the state should discharge its responsibilities and
obligations and re-establish the rule of law in areas
dominated by naxalities and at the same time work for removing
causes which lead to alienation of people and problems.

On communal situation, he said while no serious communal
incident has taken place in past five years, some states like
Maharashtra and Karnataka need to exercise greater vigil to
maintain communal peace.

"Karnataka, in particular, has witnessed a number of
communal incidents this year. What is more worrisome is that
the incidents were not limited to one of two districts," the
Prime Minister said, adding "...we must all be on our guard
against attempts by fanatics to accentuate communal problems,
disturb peace and weaken the fabric of our inclusive society."
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