India/Pakistan

India says Pakistan backed Mumbai attackers

Article published on the 2009-01-06 Latest update 2009-01-06 09:26 TU

The Defence and Home Ministry buildings in New Delhi.
(Photo: Reuters)

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that those responsible for the Mumbai attacks in November had backing from official agencies in Pakistan. During a conference of ministers in New Delhi the Indian premier claimed that Pakistan gave sanctuary to militants and had not stopped cross border infiltration from the Kashmir region. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has said those involved in the attacks were “non-state” actors.

“There is enough evidence to show that given the sophistication and military precision of the Mumbai attacks, it must have had the support of some official agencies in Pakistan,” Singh told the meeting.

“Unfortunately, we cannot choose our neighbours, and some countries like Pakistan have, in the past, encouraged and given sanctuary to terrorists and other forces who are antagonistic to India,” he added.

Singh said the attacks, which killed 163 people, were intended to damage India’s economic and security interests. He claimed they were designed create a perception of India as unsafe and to damage its investment.

His comments came a day after the Indian government said that it had passed on evidence to Pakistan, linking people in the country to the Mumbai attacks.

Islamabad confirmed it had received the file, but Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said he would only take action if “credible evidence” was provided.

The file supplied contains information about the interrogation of Mohammed Ajmal Amir Iman – the only surviving gunman. He was trained by the Islamist militant group, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and according to Indian authorities, is a Pakistani national.

A judge gave officials permission to hold Iman in custody for a further two weeks on Tuesday and said they were hopeful of being able to press charges within 60 days.

Two other suspected members of Lashkar-e-Taiba are also in custody awaiting charges. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has said that those involved in the attacks on Mumbai were “non-state” actors.