National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday once again took up the cudgels against Pakistan, saying supporting criminals had become a part of its state policy, adding when the state starts doing so, it takes the shape of a great challenge.
"Pakistan has been using terrorism as the instrument of state policy," Doval was quoted as saying by PTI.
Speaking at the National Investigation Agency's (NIA) national conference of Chiefs of Anti-Terrorism Squad/Special Task Force in Delhi, Doval said the kind of impact the NIA had had against terrorism in Kashmir was more than any other agency.
Referring to Pakistan, Doval said: "One of the biggest pressures on Pakistan has come today because of the proceedings of Financial Action Task Force (FATF); it has created so much pressure on them that probably no other action could have done."
In the present context no country can afford to go for war as the financial and human costs are huge and no one is sure about victory, he said.
Terrorism is a low-cost sustainable option which may damage enemies to a great extent, Doval said in a reference to Pakistan.
The FATF is an inter-governmental body established in 1989 to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other related threats to the integrity of the international financial system.
The NIA Inspector General (IG), Alok Mittal, who was also present at the conference, said there have been continuous efforts from across the border to revive terrorism in Punjab. "Sixteen arrested for targeted killings in 8 cases in which the Khalistan Liberation Force was found to be involved. Funds from UK, Italy, France and Australia were sent for this," he claimed.
Mittal added that the agency had a registered fresh case based on anti-India activities of Sikhs for Justice. "They are running a campaign on social media and trying to radicalize Sikh youth. 5 arrested in UP's Shamli last year admitted they were radicalized through 'Referendum 2020' propaganda," he said.
(With inputs from ANI)
