Islamic groups vow to defy Pakistani crackdown

Islamic groups in Pakistan are vowing to defy a government crackdown on their activities.

It follows a two-day police sweep which netted more than 600 of their activists.

The arrests came amid high tensions between Pakistan and India, which accuses Pakistani intelligence and two Islamic groups of being behind the December attack on its Parliament. Islamabad denies involvement.

Fourteen people, including the five attackers, were killed in the parliament attack.

In an address to the nation on Saturday, President Musharraf banned five Islamic groups, including the Lashkar-e-Tayyaba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Although he said the crackdown on extremism was prompted due to internal security concerns, the move was likely to ease Pakistan's tensions with India.

Among the groups is Al-Badr Mujahedeen who want an end Indian rule in Kashmir.

Spokesman Mushtaq Askari said: "The government is targeting jihadi (holy warrior) groups at the behest of America and India. We condemn the move. But any crackdown or restrictions won't hurt our struggle. Our Kashmir jihad will continue."