Question : ISI ACTIVITIES

(a) whether the Western parts of Uttar Pradesh have become more prone to the activities of ISI as reported in `The Hindustan Times` dated March 13, 2001;

(b) if so, whether the various intelligence agencies/security agencies have failed to find out the hideout points of ISI agents/activities in the country;

(c) if so, the reasons therefor and the number of ISI activists nabbed by the security agencies during the last one year and till date, State-wise;

(d) whether the Union Government propose to strengthen their machinery to nab such ISI activists in the country; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (CH. VIDYASAGAR RAO)

(a)to(e): The Government is aware that ISI of Pakistan is involved in aiding, abetting and supporting terrorism in various parts of the country including in certain parts of Uttar Pradesh.

In order to deal with the situation, Government have adopted a well-coordinated and multi-pronged approach for tackling the activities of ISI which includes strengthening the border management, galvanizing the intelligence machinery, neutralizing plans of ISI by well coordinated intelligence based operations, setting up of out-posts of security forces in vulnerable areas and modernization and upgradation of police and security forces with advanced sophisticated weapons and communication system etc.

Central Government has also been sensitising 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 belonging to Union and States have been working together to check the situation. However, details of ISI activists nabbed by States are not maintained by the Central Government.