Bangladesh a launching pad for terrorists into India: Narayanan

Bangalore, Oct. 19 (PTI): India regards Bangladesh as a sanctuary for militants operating against it and Dhaka is not cooperating with New Delhi on cracking down on them as it should be, National Security Advisor M K Narayanan said here today.

Bangladesh is a sanctuary and a launch pad for terrorists like LeT into India. Most of the leaders of militant and underground outfits operating in the North-East, including Manipur, are in Bangladesh, he told reporters at an interaction with police officials from Karnataka.

"We regard Bangladesh as an area which gives sanctuary to these (leaders of militant groups). We have been in touch with the Bangleadesh Government.I don't think the cooperation as we like (from Dhaka) is forthcoming as it should be. But that's something we will continue to press", Narayanan said.

On Pakistan not handing over terrorists wanted in India and the way forward as Islamabad continues to pay no heed, Narayanan said: "Obviously, they will not come (Pakistan would not hand them over)". But he added: "That's part of the dialogue and that will continue".

Earlier, he gave a perspective on the national security scenario at the interactive session. Some senior police officials from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh also attended the two-and-half-hour session.