Al Qaeda militants, who have been on the run since the US crackdown in Afghanistan, are re-grouping in Pakistan and using Kashmir as a recruiting ground, according to intelligence reports received by the British government.

British officials said they have also reasons to believe that at least 1,000 Al Qaeda elements and its sympathisers have already moved into Iraq and helping out supporters of ousted President Saddam Hussein in fighting the US-led forces.

"Though still indigenously driven, insurgency in Iraq is gaining momentum," warned a senior British government official.

The Al Qaeda militants were being joined by 'foreign jihadis' in Iraq, the official told a group of visiting Indian journalists.

Though the Pakistani regime under President Pervez Musharraf is taking some steps to round up such elements, many have succeeded in re-grouping in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, he said.

With the coalition forces out on their lookout, Al Qaeda is being pushed to a corner when it is left with no option but to be selective in its attacks, he said.

"Kashmir has become another terrific recruiting force for Al Qaeda," an official dealing with counter-terrorism said. "Some have been re-located from Afghanistan to that part of the world."

Asked when the US and British forces hoped to leave Iraq, he said, "Exit of the troops within a year seems unlikely."

Britain supports the US view that security has to be reasonably good in the war-ravaged country before handing over administrative reins to the new government in Baghdad.

"Insurgency has to be brought under check before considering withdrawal of troops," he said.

Britain says it disapproves of UN 'reluctance' to get involved in Iraq even as India and several other countries have sought a greater role for the world body in managing Baghdad's affairs.

He said there were clear indications from India that despite a more robust resolution from the UN Security Council, it was not willing to send troops to that country.