Plant 'moles' in terror groups like LeT, JeM, IS: Home Ministry's advise to Cabinet on fighting terrorism

Counter terror organisations like NIA should have the right to plant its officers in terror groups both within and outside the country: Home Ministry.

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New Delhi: In a new proposal to fight terror groups like LeT and ISIS based in and outside the country, the Home Ministry has sought the Union Cabinet's approval to plant “moles” in terrorists organisations to collect crucial real-time data about impending terror ops, a media report said on Friday.

Counter terror organisations such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) should have the right to plant its officers in terror groups both within and outside the country to collect information about potential attacks on India, NDTV reported citing the home ministry.

At the moment, Inda's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) gathers intelligence abroad on security issues concerning India. To prevent attacks in the country, RAW and other security agencies must focus on alerts about terror ops.

According to the NDTV report, the ministry is keen to give more powers to NIA and it has also shared its suggestions with the union cabinet for approval.

The proposal will move to parliament for discussion if the cabinet give its greenlight, said the report.

Citing a note from the ministry, the report said that the home ministry wants the NIA to probe terror attacks against India in other countries - “like the targeting of consulates and embassies”.

It has also suggested plea bargains (for turning death sentences to life in prison) for convicts who are willing to turn informers and disclose crucial information in terror attacks.