US Homeland Security Secretary Janet Nap

WASHINGTON: The US homeland security chief has likened the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba to al Qaeda and says it could pose a threat to America.

Janet Napolitano was speaking Thursday following security cooperation talks last week with India.

India has accused Lashkar of mounting the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people.

Napolitano described Lashkar as ''al Qaeda-like in strength and organization.''

She said Lashkar certainly threatened India and ''could be construed as a threat to the United States.'' She declined to disclose US intelligence on the group.

Napolitano said the US supported India-Pakistan peace talks to promote regional stability.