February 18, 2003 02:33 IST
The International Policy Institute for Counter Terrorism, a Jewish Institute based at Herzliya in Israel, has offered its assistance to the the Maharashtra government in fighting terrorism.
Research head at the institute Jonathan Fighel said, "We had good discussions with the police officers of Maharashtra and we have told them that we are ready to offer help to them if they need."
Fighel met Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, Director General of Police Subhash Malhotra and Mumbai Police Commissioner R S Sharma on security matters in the state.
Asked if there were any similarities between the terrorism in Middle East and that in Jammu and Kashmir, Fighel said, "Though I am not an expert in understanding terrorist minds operating in India, but I can say that there is a similarity of radical Islamic mindset at both the places."
Bhujbal later said that this was only the first meeting with the Israelis and if required more may be held.
Sharma said, "The talks are very premature and we will only discuss among ourselves whether we need them in future or not."
