IB tells UN panel Pak removal from grey list could lead to rise in attacks

NEW DELHI: Indian intelligence officials on Friday highlighted to the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee that Pakistan’s inclusion in the Financial Action Task Force’s “grey list” in 2018 had reduced attacks on “hard targets” in India and resulted in a 75% drop in terrorist bases on Pakistani soil.

The officials were briefing the members of the CTC during an informal session held at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, one of the main targets of the attacks carried out in November 2008 by a 10-member LeT team.

In his presentation before the CTC, senior Intelligence Bureau officer Safi Rizvi said without naming Pakistan: “The FATF grey-listing of a troublesome jurisdiction and UN designation of Jaish-e-Mohammad [in 2001] and Lashkar-e-Taiba [in 2005]... have been able to create an impact by bringing down attacks on hard targets in Kashmir, reduction of terror bases across the border, open raising of funds and open terror activity between 2018 and mid-2021.”

He, however, expressed concerns that Pakistan’s removal from the grey list has already led to an increase in terrorist activity in India. “The moment talks started that grey listing is about to end, things have started to slide back,” Rizvi said.