Stating that the Army regularly shared intelligence reports on ISI activities with the state governments, Gen Chopra said porous borders with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan made the eastern and north-eastern states vulnerable to ISI operations.Besides, the Army had definite information that some rebel groups in the Northeast have close links with the ISI. He declined to comment on the progress made in the probe into New Jalpaiguri railway station blast on June 22. He also added that there was no communication gap between theArmy and the West Bengal Government in tackling the ISI menace in the state. Referring to law and order situation in the region, Gen Chopra said the troops withdrawal from the region will have no effect on fighting insurgency in the Northeast. The troops from the region have been sent to Kargil.

General Shankar Roy Choudhury, former Army chief, who also attended the Meet-the-Press programme, said the Army should be allowed to cross the Line of Control. The Government, however, will have to weigh the diplomatic and international fallout of the situation before deciding on the move, he said. Talking about the state of weaponry and other facilities for the defence forces, Gen Roy Choudhury said enough funds had not been made available to upgrade them.