Nepal's instability could pose terrorist threat to India: US

The United States on Thursday warned that the political instability in Nepal could pose a serious terrorist threat to India, which has sent a top envoy to Kathmandu to help end the month-long constitutional crisis over the election of a new prime minister.

Even though there is no indication that Nepal is a safe haven for international terrorists, the United States cautioned New Delhi that the continued instability in this nascent democratic country could pose a serious terrorist threat to India.

"There were no indications that Nepal was a safe haven for international terrorists. Given Nepal's continued instability, however, there is a possibility that members of extremist groups could transit Nepal, especially into India," said the State Departments annual Congressionally-mandated 'Country Reports on Terrorism for the year 2009'.

The report warned that the porous border, the large ungoverned space along the Nepal-Indian border and the security deficiencies at the country's only international airport in the capital exacerbates this vulnerability.

"The large ungoverned space along the Nepal-Indian border exacerbates this vulnerability, as do security shortfalls at Tribhuvan Airport, Nepal's international airport," the State Department said.

In June, Lashkar-e Taiba (LeT) member Muhammad Omar Madni traveled through Nepal enroute to New Delhi, the report noted.

In its annual report, the State Department said while Nepal experienced no significant acts of international terrorism, several incidents of politically-motivated violence occurred in the country.

 "Maoist-affiliated Young Communist League (YCL) criminal activity continued, including intimidation and extortion. In response to the YCL violence, other political parties condoned the use of violence by their youth wings," it said.

The report also warned that unrest in the Terai plains bordering India remained high with the proliferation of numerous armed criminal groups and an inadequate police presence.

"Unrest in the southern Terai plains remained high with the proliferation of numerous armed groups and an inadequate police presence. More than 100 armed groups are estimated to be operating in the Terai, some in pursuit of independence or autonomy, most composed of opportunistic criminal elements," it said.