The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) integrating intelligence branches of the army, air force and navy would start functioning by this year-end, director general of Military Intelligence (MI) Lt General O S Lohchab said on Thursday. Talking to newspersons in Danapur cantonment, Lt General Lohchab, who is also the colonel of Bihar Regiment Centre (BRC), said that the agency would ensure better coordination and strengthen the intelligence gathering operation. He said that military intelligence had a significant role in counter insurgency operation in different ''troubled spots'' of the country, including the Indo-Nepal border areas of Bihar. ''The main focus, however, is on Jammu and Kashmir which is facing cross border terrorism,'' the Lt General said, adding that Military Intelligence was constantly upgrading its functioning and acquiring equipment to deal with the enemies.
Lt General Lohchab was at the Danapur Cantonment in connection with the three-day celebration of the ''ninth reunion and 19th biennial conference'' of the BRC, which began on Thursday. Bureau Report