LeT, a creature of ISI to conduct operations in Kashmir

Outlawed LeT is essentially a creature of Pakistan's ISI to conduct operations in Kashmir and its relationship with the powerful intelligence service is "very disturbing," a Senate panel was told.

Outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) is essentially a creature of Pakistan's ISI to conduct operations in Kashmir and its relationship with the powerful intelligence service is "very disturbing," a Senate panel was told.

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In his testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader; said LeT has links with the ISI.

"So its(LeT) relationship to the Pakistan intelligence service is very disturbing," Reid said.

Lt Gen Michael Maples, Director, Defence Intelligence Agency of the US Army, in his testimony said the Mumbai carnage shows the growing striking capabilities of the and its ability to direct and execute terror attacks inside India.

"In South Asia, the November 2008 attack in Mumbai highlighted the increasing ability of terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to direct and execute terrorist attacks inside India," Maples said.

Besides raising Indo-Pak tensions, the targeting of foreign nationals and Jewish interests, as well as the coordination and complexity of the operation, marked a departure from previous attacks and raised concerns in the region, Maples said.

The statement comes a day after the State Department said; Pakistan needs to do more in bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attack to justice.