India [ Images ] has decided to pull out of the South Asian Federation Games in Pakistan next month citing threats to its contingent from the Al Qaeda [ Images ], Taliban [ Images ] and other terrorist outfits operating from that country.

The external affairs ministry has taken a decision to this effect in consultation with the sports ministry, which had earlier decided to send a 350-strong contingent to Islamabad [ Images ] for the ten-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.