‘Pakistan’s terror ties, nukes a threat’

WASHINGTON : Relations between India and Pakistan will remain tense with continued violence on the Line of Control and the “risk of escalation if there is another high-profile terrorist attack in India”, according to a new worldwide threat assessment released by the US intelligence community on Tuesday.

Pakistan continues to maintain ties with terrorists, and groups supported by it will use safe havens on Pakistani soil to “plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan”, the report warned.

It further warned that Pakistan’s “eroding position relative to India”, persisting economic weakness and domestic security issues will “exacerbate” its longheld fears of international isolation and drive it to actions that run counter to US goals in the region. The report didn’t specify those “actions”. In the assessment of US intelligence, as testified by director of national intelligence Dan Coats, India-pakistan ties will remain tense “with continued violence on the Line of Control and the risk of escalation if there is another high-profile terrorist attack in India or an uptick in violence on the LOC”.

Coats’ prepared testimony to the Senate select committee on intelligence portrayed Pakistan as a bleakly obstinate country that continues to host and shelter terrorists.

“Militant groups supported by Islamabad will continue to take advantage of their safe havens in Pakistan to plan and conduct attacks in India and Afghanistan, including against US interests,” he said. Intelligence agencies believe Pakistan has not severed its ties with terrorists despite unprecedented pressure.