This Article is From Nov 29, 2014

'Want to Ask Pakistan, is ISI Also a Non-State Actor,' Says Rajnath Singh

Home Minister Rajnath Singh addresses a conference of DGPs in Guwahati.

Guwahati: In scathing comments directed at Pakistan, Home Minister Rajnath Singh today asked the neighbouring nation if its spy agency Inter Services Intelligence or ISI was also a "non-state actor".

"Pakistani State is engaged in destabilising India. I want to ask Pakistan, is ISI also a non- state actor," said Mr Singh, at a key conference on security in Assam's Guwahati.

His comments were in reaction to Pakistan's repeated claims, that it had no role to play in terror activities against India which were carried out by non-state actors.

At the meet - attended by police chiefs from across the country, as well as senior officials from intelligence agencies - Mr Singh also admitted that the influence of Islamic State, a militant group active in the middle-east, was a matter of concern.

"India cannot remain unaffected by international terrorism, (and the) activities of Islamic State," said Mr Singh, adding, "We can't take Al Qaeda's threat of turning India into an Islamic country lightly, we should consider it a challenge".

The issue of young men from India being lured by the Islamic State has come to the fore again after the arrest of Arif Majeed, one of the four young men from Mumbai who left their homes in May reportedly to join the IS.

Mr Singh also told the top cops present, "There might be many terrorist organisations in the world, but we will not allow them to get a foothold in our country".

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the conference, which is being held outside Delhi for the first time, on Sunday.
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