'Pak trying to bleed India through a thousand cuts'

"This (Jehadi) brand of terrorism is primarily sponsored by our neighbouring country in the west whose... policy is to conduct war against India by all other means and bleed us through a thousand cuts. This naturally includes the targeting of anything...with a view to damaging, degrading or destroying the engines of economic growth and critical centres of power and strength of our country," Secretary (Internal Security) in the Union Home Ministry U K Bansal said here.

Bansal was delivering his inaugural address at a seminar titled 'the challenge of terrorism to India's infrastructure and economy' here.

"It is legitimate to anticipate that countries and entities hostile to Indian interest will try to extract maximum advantage in their efforts by attacking our economic and high value targets. Critical economic infrastructure is obviously in the firing line...," he said.

Bansal added these activities are being "planned, financed and facilitated" from across the western border of the country.

"The fact is that it is clearly directed to cause multi- lateral damage. For instance, the natural and social harmony was targeted at Akshardham (in 2002). Economic institution such as the Bombay Stock Exchange and business hub like Zaveri Bazaar are regarded as legitimate targets by Pakistan," he remarked.