‘ISI trying to take advantage of fluid Indo-Nepal ties’

Pakistan’s key intelligence agency the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) is trying to take advantage of the “fluid India Nepal relations” by further strengthening its network in the Himalayan kingdom to step up anti-India activities. The issue has been flagged by external intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing in a classified report to the government last week.

According to the R&AW report, “The Pak agency will use anti-India sentiments among the establishment in Nepal to further consolidate its network”. Intelligence sources said the ISI has been operating several modules in Nepal which are used to carry out subversive activities in India, ranging from smuggling of fake currency notes to sending in terror operatives. The chief of Indian Mujahideen, Yaseen Bhatkal and some other members of the terror outfit who belonged to the infamous “Darbhanga module” were also said to be operating out of Nepal.

India-Nepal relations have been adversely impacted since the neighbouring country drafted a new Constitution, which triggered massive agitation by the Madhesi community, particularly in regions closer to the border. Nepal’s increasing proximity to China has also alarmed New Delhi as it feels this will increase Chinese influence right in its neighbourhood.

“The fact is that ISI has always had a strong network in Nepal to launch terror activities in India ever since the hijack of the IC-814 Indian Airlines flight from Kathmandu. But our intelligence agencies had over the years managed to neutralise that impact to a large extent. But the ISI is now trying to take advantage of the prevailing tension between the two countries by re-activating its network there,” a senior intelligence official said.

There is considerable concern among New Delhi’s security establishment that the increasing Chinese influence in Nepal will also be beneficial for Pak ISI to spread its network there. “Diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan have improved considerably over the last few years and now that the Chinese influence is increasing, Nepal will obviously be beneficial to Pakistan also,” the official added.

Intelligence sources said they were closely monitoring activities in the neighbouring country and will immediately flag the issue of spurt in ISI activities. Both the home ministry and office of the national security adviser have directed to the Central intelligence agencies to give regular updates on all developments in Nepal.

Security along the porous Indo-Nepal border, which was beefed up considerably following the Madhesi agitation last September, is being reviewed again to “plug the possible loopholes”.