New Delhi: India has decided to pull out of the South Asian Federation Games in Pakistan next month citing threats to its contingent from al-Qaida, Taleban and other terrorist outfits operating from that country.

A decision to this effect has been taken by the External Affairs Ministry in consultation with the Sports Ministry, which had earlier decided to send a 350- strong contingent to Islamabad for the 10-day event beginning March 29.

However, India is expected to play Pakistan in the Cricket World Cup match scheduled for March 1, official sources said on Saturday.

Citing a two-fold reason for non-participation, the sources said, "There are fears that the security of our contingent could be jeopardised as al-Qaida, Taleban and other terrorist organisations are operating from Pakistani soil."

The other reason, they said, was that Pakistan was continuing to aid and abet cross-border terrorism and had done nothing to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure existing there.

"Participation in the Games will indicate that there has been some normalcy in ties between New Delhi and Islamabad. But that is not the situation. The relations are not normal. Pakistan has not taken any action," they said, adding that "under the circumstances, it is not possible to send the Indian contingent".

PTI