ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser retired Lt Gen Nasser Janjua has told the US Ambassador to Pakistan, David Hale, that terrorist groups are operating in the country with patronage from the intelligence agencies of India and Afghanistan — the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the National Directorate of Security (NDS).

At a meeting here on Wednesday, Lt Gen Janjua explained to Mr Hale why the nexus between the two intelligence agencies and Afghanistan-based terrorists should be broken.

“They (terrorists) are being covertly supported to come and hit the soft targets in Pakistan,” he said to the US ambassador.

Lt Gen Janjua told the US envoy that the terrorists who attacked the Police Training College, Quetta, were constantly in contact with their handlers in Afghanistan. He also sought the American government’s help in breaking the nexus between the terrorists and the two spy agencies.

According to an official press release, the adviser noted that peace in Afghanistan was linked to peace in Pakistan and political reconciliation in Afghanistan was necessary for stability in the region.

The US ambassador apprised the adviser of the initiatives the US had taken to improve the security situation in Afghanistan.

Issues related to counterterrorism operations and cross-border attacks also came under discussion during the meeting.

Mr Hale condemned the dastardly attack on the police college and expressed his profound sorrow over the tragic loss of lives.

Published in Dawn October 27th, 2016