India, US Working Together to Track and Disrupt Terror Networks

WASHINGTON: India and the US are working together to track and disrupt transnational terrorism networks including those responsible for the attack on Indian consulate in Herat, a senior US official said, reiterating that the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was to be blamed for the attack.

"We will continue to work together to track and disrupt transnational terrorism, including those responsible for the Indian consulate attack in Herat," the official said, a day after the United States publicly blamed LeT for the attack.

"India remains an active and strong counter terrorism partner of the United States, and we will continue to share information with the Government of India on counter terrorism issues," the official said on the condition of anonymity.

On Wednesday, the US had re-designated LeT and several of its alias as a terrorist organization and had slapped sanctions against two of its leaders.

"While we cannot publicly comment on the specific deliberations related to terrorist designations, I can say that any designation is the result of an extensive, deliberative process that involves consultations with both intra-agency, inter-agency, and international partners," the official added.

"We've been very clear about the threat LeT poses," State Department spokesperson Marie Harf said.

"Obviously, we've made very clear our concern about LeT (to Pakistan). That's why we put them on our designation list; that's why we try to cut off funding and support to them," she said.

Responding to a question, Harf said the US has worked very closely with Pakistan on counter terrorism issues.

"The threat from the Taliban and other terrorist groups is not new. We've worked with them very closely.

It doesn't just threaten the Pakistanis; it threatens Afghanistan and India, and has the United States in the past as well," she said.

"In terms of the current operations Pakistan is undertaking in North Waziristan, this is an entirely Pakistani-led and executed operation. Obviously, we have long supported their efforts to extend the writ of government throughout their country and to increase internal stability and security. But again, these current operations are an entire Pakistani-led event," Harf said.

Source http://www.newindianexpress.com/world/India-US-Working-Together-to-Track-and-Disrupt-Terror-Networks/2014/06/27/article2303121.ece