Pakistan-based
Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is increasing its operational role, a
top US official has warned saying Washington is now "focused"
on the militant outfit behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
"In Pakistan, we remain focused on Lashkar-e-Taiba,
the group behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which remains a
threat to a variety of interests in South Asia," he said.
Though LeT had so far not carried out attacks in the
West, it could pose a threat to the US and Europe, in addition
to destabilising South Asia more broadly, the official told
the Congress.
In his testimony, he said LeT`s previous attacks in
Kashmir and India have had a destabilising effect on the
region, increasing tension and brinkmanship between New Delhi
and Islamabad.
LeT, which has a well documented relationship with
ISI, has been involved in some of the major terrorist attacks
in India, including the Mumbai terrorist attack, the attack on
the Indian Parliament and Akshardham Temple.
"We are concerned that it is increasing its
operational role in attacks against coalition forces in
Afghanistan," he said.
Besides LeT, the top US official said the US is also
focused on other groups like al Qaeda, Taliban,
Tehreek-e-Taliban and Haqqani network.
The US official said al Qaeda and its allies in
Pakistan still pose a threat despite degradation suffered from
extensive and sustained counter terrorism operations over the
past several years and accelerated over the past two years.
"al Qaeda, we believe, in Pakistan is at one of its
weakest points in the past decade, and it is continuously
being forced to react to a reduced safe haven and personnel
losses, but it remains a very determined enemy," he said.
PTI
