Washington: With President Pervez Musharraf commanding little influence over Kashmiri militants and other religious extremists, his Islamist opponents could "instigate" a coup or assassination that could result in an "extremist Pakistan", a top ranking US intelligence official has warned.

Deposing before a Senate Committee on Intelligence, Director of US Defence Intelligence Agency, Vice Admiral Lowell E Jacoby said, "Popular hostility to the US is growing and Islamist opponents of the current government could try to instigate a political crisis through violent means.

"Coup or assassination could result in an extremist Pakistan," he said.

In his deposition, Jacoby also supported India's contention that cross-border infiltration continued from Pakistan and warned of increasing potential of hostilities breaking out between the two countries "in the wake of some violent triggering event".

Musharraf, he said, claims little influence over militants in Kashmir and other religious extremists, and Pakistan does not completely control areas in the North West where concentrations of al-Qaida and Taleban remain.

While Pakistan is making progress in its return to functional democracy, the official said, "Musharraf faces significant political and economic challenges and continued opposition."

On Indo-Pak relations, he said, "With Kashmir situation still unresolved and with continued cross-border infiltration from Pakistan, the potential for miscalculation between the two countries remains high, especially in the wake of some violent 'triggering event' such as another spectacular terrorist attack or political assassination."

PTI