Pakistan backed terrorists will continue attacks in India, says U.S. intel chief

In remarks coming after the Sunjuwan Army camp attack, Daniel Coats sees threat to the U.S. and Afghan interests too.

Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats. File

Terror groups supported by Pakistan will continue to carry out attacks inside India, the United States intelligence chief has warned.

Director of National Intelligence Daniel Coats’ remarks came days after a group of Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists attacked the Army's Sunjuwan camp in Jammu on February 10, killing seven people, including six soldiers.

On February 12, a gunfight broke out between security forces and militants, who took shelter in a building in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar after their attack on the CRPF camp in Karan Nagar area of Srinagar was foiled.

New nukes may be deployed

Pakistan, in fact, will continue to threaten the U.S. interests by deploying new nuclear weapons capabilities, maintaining its ties to militants, restricting counter- terrorism cooperation, and drawing closer to China, Mr. Coats said in his testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

“Militant groups supported by Islamabad will continue to take advantage of their safe haven in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against the U.S. interests,” Mr. Coats said during the hearing on ‘Worldwide Threat Assessment’ of the US intelligence community.

Actions will run counter to U.S. goals for the region

The Intel chief said Pakistan’s perception of its eroding position relative to India, reinforced by endemic economic weakness and domestic security issues, almost certainly would exacerbate long held fears of isolation and drive Islamabad’s pursuit of actions that run counter to the U.S. goals for the region.

“Ongoing Pakistani military operations against the Taliban and associated groups probably reflect the desire to appear more proactive and responsive to our requests for more actions against these groups.” However actions taken thus far “do not reflect a significant escalation of pressure against these groups and are unlikely to have a lasting effect,” he said.

Without specifically referring to any terrorist incident by Pakistan-based groups, Mr. Coats told the lawmakers that he expected increased tension between the two Asian neighbours.

“Relations between India and Pakistan are likely to remain tense, with continued violence on the Line of Control and the risk of escalation if there is another high-profile terrorist attack in India or an uptick in violence on the Line of Control,” he said.