(a) whether the Government are aware of the ISI activities in major cities of Madhya Pradesh including the Capital city of Bhopal;
(b) if so, whether the Government are aware of the fact that those accused of major terrorist acts perpetrated in the country are taking shelter in Madhya Pradesh since the year 1992;
(c) if so, the facts and reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS ( SHRI CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO )
(a)to(d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.135 DATED 23.7.2002 REGARDING ISI ACTIVITIES IN MADHYA PRADESH.
(a)to(d): Government is aware that Pakistan ISI is involved in aiding, abetting and supporting terrorism in various parts of the country. Even though there are no major instances of terrorism in Madhya Pradesh so far, Punjab terrorists have been arrested at various places in Madhya Pradesh from time to time.
Recently, an ISI espionage network was unearthed at Gwalior with the arrest of one Sushil Sharma on June 11, 2002, who was involved in communication of defence related sensitive information to a Pakistan based handler. Interrogation of the accused led to arrests in Andhra Pradesh of two serving Air Force personnel and their contacts in Delhi as well as Rajasthan.
In espionage cases, arrested persons are proceeded against in accordance with relevant provisions of law including the Official Secrets Act. Central Government has also been sensitizing the State Governments about the threat perception and activities of ISI in the country. Periodic coordination meetings are also held with the State Governments for sharing the inputs from various quarters as well as for devising strategies to counter such activities. Various security agencies of the Union and the State Governments have been working together to counter the nefarious activities of Pakistan ISI.