The states like Assam, Manipur and Nagaland are on the hit-list of such attack, sources said quoting a recent alert message sent from the union Home Ministry to the Northeastern states.

Informed sources say that like in the past, the present PPP-led dispensation in Pakistan is also under serious threat from hardliners and the ISI is not to go soft on India. “And on their part, they have identified North East India as a soft target. The nefarious activities could be taken up with the help of ISI-supported groups and Bangladeshi networks,” the source said.

In a recent meeting on the security scene and threat perceptions from the Afghanistan-Pakistan region, officials have reportedly urged the government to appreciate that Pakistan’s anti-Indianism will only increase as this India-bashing is the ‘prime driving force’ that the Pakistani military and political leadership can believe keep Pakistan united.

The centre has, in the meanwhile also taken all necessary steps to set up a ‘regional security operation mechanism’ in Shillong to ensure cooperation among security forces in the Northeastern states including Sikkim to effectively tackle the menace of insurgency by way of exchanging information about movement and plans of the outfits.

The services of the West Bengal government could also be taken to track any nexus between North East groups especially in Assam and Maoists in Bengal, the source added.

All the state police forces have been sounded of the measures and have been urged to ensure effective coordination.

Meanwhile, the Naxlite groups led by CPI (Maoists) are reportedly planning greater ‘psychological wars’ through effective networking of various friendly groups in the eastern part of the country and could soon chart out operational links with North East based groups, the source added.

“The Mumbai attack last November has only hardened the tenor of the proxy war from Pakistan,” sources said.

The government has directed its security agencies and top officials to ensure a ‘battle-readiness’ strategy and also enhance intensification of counter militancy and Naxalite violence.

Intelligence sources said that the security apparatus at the top level headed by Home Minister Mr. P Chidambaram appreciates the fact that the dividing line between an open attack from Pakistan and covert offensive from Pakistan-sponsored and ISI supported elements in Bangladesh is “getting thinner by the day”.

Significantly, these steps have come close on the heels of new revelations of fresh terror attack from Pakistan-based groups in Delhi and other parts of the country.

Swati Deb