ISI activities: Central team to take stock of NE situation

NEW DELHI, August 24: The Centre is despatching a high-level team to be led by the Union home secretary, Kamal Pande, to the Northeast later this month on a stock-taking mission in the wake of sudden jump in terrorist-related violence and unearthing of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) gameplan to destabilise the region. The home secretary accompanied by top officials from the ministry, besides senior intelligence officials, will arrive at Guwahati on August 27 on a two-day visit, official sources confirmed. This will be the home secretary's maiden visit to the region after he took over two months back. Sources said he will also use his visit to review the situation and access the requirement of the state governments to hold elections. The sudden spurt in killings coupled with arrest of ISI officials and recovery of explosives has sent the alarm bells ringing at the home ministry. The home secretary is scheduled to hold discussions with top state government officials about activities of the ISI and its nexus with underground elements.