Mumbai Terrorist Attack-News stories and timeline

Harsha.H.D · Post by **Harsha.H.D** » 26 Aug 2009 00:57

TIMES NOW reveals LeT commander and 26/11 prime suspect Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi's defence tactics ahead of trial in Pakistan.

According to Lakhvi's lawyer, there's no evidence against him. This, it is reliably learnt, will be the main thrust of the defence for Lakhvi.

The arrested Mumbai attack accused included Hammad Amin Sadiq, Zaki-ur Rehman, Mazhar Iqbal, Abdul Wajid and Shahid Jamil. Zaki-ur Rehman was the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks and commander of the LeT.

Hammad Amin facilitated funds and hideouts for the prepetrators of the attacks. While Mazhar Iqbal was handler, Abdul Wajid and Shahid Jamil were facilitators.

13 more accused have been decalred proclaimed offenders for their alleged involvement in the Mumbai attacks.

They included Muh=ammad Amjid Khan, Iftikhar Ali, Shahid Ghafoor, Abdul Rehman, Muhammad Usman, Attiq-ur Rehman, Muhammad Mushtaq, Muhammad Naeem, Abdul Sakoor, Muhammad Sabbir and Shakeel.

According to Lakhvi's lawyer, they could be saved by the fact that though there has been enough sharing of information, little in terms of evidence is available.

Shahbaz Rajpoot, Lakhvi's Counsel, said, "Their non-cooperation has become a major hindrance and that's why my case is on better footing. Since the first day I have been hearing of sharing of information. It has been done rampantly. But, in the court of law you cannot convict anone on the basis of mere information."

The defence also has little faith in Kasav implicating his handlers back home in Pakistan. According to them, this is a result of Indian and international pressure.

On this, Shahbaz Rajpoot said, "Ajmal Kasav's confessions started coming in. We all know the credibility of these confessions. He was in constant detention in an enemy state."

On the arrested accused, Lakhjvi's counsel said, "International pressure was of course there. That is why all thse people got arrested."

Toufeeq Asif, President, Rawalpindi Bar Association reacted, "Between India and Pakistan there is no such like treaty of extradition. In Pakistan there is a law of extradition of accused persons with some countries that have signed the memorandum. India and Pakistan have no such treaty."

Harsha.H.D · Post by **Harsha.H.D** » 26 Aug 2009 00:59

India against Lakhvi's secret trial

It has been nine since the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The trial of Pakistan into the Mumbai carnage has angered India. India has strongly objected to Islamabad's in-camera trial of 26/11 plotter Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

Sources in the government have expressed outrage over the secret proceedings and have contended that if India can conduct a fair, transparent like that of Kasav, so should Pakistan.

Islamabad will begin the trial of LeT commander Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and others on the 29th of this month. The trial will be held in the high security Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi. The Pakistan court has decided to hold in-camera proceedings and the media will not be allowed to report day to day proceedings of the case.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 26 Aug 2009 07:13

Interpol issues Red Corner Notice against Hafeez Saeed & Lakhvi

The Interpol on Tuesday night issued Red Corner Notices (RCN) against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder chief, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, and mastermind of the Mumbai terror attacks, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

Saeed had allegedly provided training to terrorists between 2007 and 2008 at Muridke (LeT headquarters), Manshera, Muzzafarabad, Azizabad, and Paanch Teni in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

India also sent proof and requests to issue a similar warrant against Lashkar commander Zarar Shah and Abu Al Qama. Interpol said it was analysing the evidence against them.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 27 Aug 2009 07:06

Goof up in Interpol notice on Hafeez Saeed

. . . the person for whom the international police organisation has put out the notice is virtually impossible to connect with the Jamat-ud-Dawa chief, so vague is the information about him.

While the red corner for Lakhvi is straightforward enough, not so the other one. It names only a “Sayed, Hafiz saab” with no other determining details about him except his Pakistani nationality and a date of birth. Not only is the name wrong, as there is no accompanying photograph — “Not Available” is stamped across the rectangular space for a mug shot — it is impossible to figure out that the red corner notice is, in fact, for Hafiz Saeed. It also makes no mention of his affiliation with the Jamat-ud-Dawa, or with the Laskhar-e-Taiba, or of his designation by the United Nations 1267 Al-Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee.

The Hindu has learnt that in forwarding the request to Interpol for the red corner notice for both Hafiz Saeed and Lakhvi, the CBI attached all the information from the Mumbai investigations, including the confessional statements of the surviving gunman Ajmal Amir ‘Kasab,’ and the two Indian suspects in the case, Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin.

They also forwarded the U.N. Security Council designation of both Lakhvi and Hafiz Saeed by the 1267 sanctions committee, CBI sources told The Hindu in New Delhi. Photographs of both individuals — there is no dearth of them — were also included in the material sent by the CBI to Interpol.

In his confessional statement, ‘Kasab’ mentioned meeting a “Hafiz Saab”, and at another point, “Sayed bhai.” Interpol’s red corner notice for “Hafiz Saab Sayed” appears to be drawn from the ‘Kasab’ statement.

It is not clear why Interpol chose to overlook all the other material sent to them.

The CBI was taken unawares when The Hindu called to find out about the goof-up, and an official said it was the first he was hearing about it.

A meeting was said to be underway late in the afternoon to determine what had gone wrong.

With regard to Hafiz Saeed, the Minister {Rehman Malik} said that even if a red corner notice had been issued against him, the government was not obliged to immediately arrest him.

“The country makes its own investigations against the person, and only then decides,” Mr. Malik said.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 27 Aug 2009 07:20

Dossier on Hafeez Saeed shared with other countries

India has shared the latest dossier on Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief and mastermind of the Mumbai terror strikes Hafiz Saeed with 15-16 countries whose nationals were killed in the attacks.

“We would urge these countries to bring pressure on Pakistan to launch prosecution against Hafiz Saeed,” Home Minister P. Chidambaram told journalists

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 27 Aug 2009 14:34

IP addresses traced to Pakistan, US, Kuwait & Russia

An investigation into the geographical locations of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses used for the Mumbai terror attacks led the police to places in Pakistan, Russia, Kuwait and the United States. Five of the 10 locations traced are in Pakistan, Crime Branch Cyber Cell inspector Mukund Pawar said in his testimony before the special sessions court here on Wednesday.

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation gave the Indian police a list of 10 IP addresses. As per the charge sheet, it is from these addresses that the email id [email protected] was allegedly accessed to make payments to CallPhonex, a U.S.-based Internet communication service provider. Mr. Pawar said he was tasked with finding the actual locations from where the IPs were accessed. Cyber Cell officials used the services of the website www.all-nettools.com to trace the physical addresses. “I downloaded the information available on the website in respect of the 10 addresses.” Five IPs — 58.27.167.153, 118.107.140.138, 203.81.224.201, 203.81.224.202, and 203.81.224.203 — were traced to Pakistan, the witness said.

The IP 118.107.140.138 threw up the names Col. R Saadat Ullah and Khurram Shazad from SCO Kasim Road, Rawalpindi. Another IP led to Sajid Iftikhar, seventh floor, EFU House, Jail Road, Lahore. The rest of the three IPs were traced to World Call Network Operations, 16-S, Gulberg, Pakistan. The remaining five addresses were proxies, traced to Chicago, Moscow and Safat in Kuwait.

The court raised doubts over the credibility of this investigation as the source of information was a website. “Is it an authorised website? Where did the website get the location from,” asked judge M.L. Tahaliyani. The officer replied: “It is a foreign website.” Noting that none other than “your service provider could divulge details of your IP and the location,” Mr. Tahaliyani said tracing the location of a user by using the services of a website could amount to breach of privacy. He was also sceptical of the merits of this technical evidence.

Dilbu · Post by **Dilbu** » 27 Aug 2009 15:19

SSridhar wrote:Dossier on Hafeez Saeed shared with other countries

I hope Timbuktu was not missed out.

sum · Post by **sum** » 27 Aug 2009 19:45

Cant imagine the ROFL happening in all the embassies in India every time they receive a "dossier" from Indians complaining about the evil Pakis and asking the embassy staff to get their country to help weak India bring bad bully Pak to book..

harbans · Post by **harbans** » 27 Aug 2009 20:02

^^^ Thats the reason for the 'hafiz Syed Bhai' Interpol 'goof up' in the UN..how naive can or politicians be?

Prem · Post by **Prem** » 28 Aug 2009 00:42

Mumbai terror attacks; IPs traced to Pakistan, Russia, Kuwait, US
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news- ... -Kuwait-US

An investigation into the geographical locations of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses used for the Mumbai terror attacks led the police to places in Pakistan, Russia, Kuwait and the United States. Five of the 10 locations traced are in Pakistan, Crime Branch Cyber Cell inspector Mukund Pawar said in his testimony before the special sessions court here on Wednesday. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation gave the Indian police a list of 10 IP addresses. As per the charge sheet, it is from these addresses that the email id [email protected] was allegedly accessed to make payments to CallPhonex, a U.S.-based Internet communication service provider. Mr. Pawar said he was tasked with finding the actual locations from where the IPs were accessed. Cyber Cell officials used the services of the website www.all-nettools.com to trace the physical addresses. “I downloaded the information available on the website in respect of the 10 addresses.” Five IPs — 58.27.167.153, 118.107.140.138, 203.81.224.201, 203.81.224.202, and 203.81.224.203 — were traced to Pakistan, the witness said. The IP 118.107.140.138 threw up the names Col. R Saadat Ullah and Khurram Shazad from SCO Kasim Road, Rawalpindi. Another IP led to Sajid Iftikhar, seventh floor, EFU House, Jail Road, Lahore. The rest of the three IPs were traced to World Call Network Operations, 16-S, Gulberg, Pakistan. The remaining five addresses were proxies, traced to Chicago, Moscow and Safat in Kuwait. The court raised doubts over the credibility of this investigation as the source of information was a website. “Is it an authorised website? Where did the website get the location from,” asked judge M.L. Tahaliyani. The officer replied: “It is a foreign website.” Noting that none other than “your service provider could divulge details of your IP and the location,” Mr. Tahaliyani said tracing the location of a user by using the services of a website could amount to breach of privacy. He was also sceptical of the merits of this technical evidence.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 28 Aug 2009 17:15

Key witness against Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed, goes 'missing'

The witness, Nurudin Shaikh, on Thursday told the court that the accused — Faheem and Sabauddin — had met him in Nepal and in his presence they discussed about the maps of some locations in Mumbai, which were later targeted by militants during the November 26 attacks last year.

The court had called the witness on Friday for cross-examination at 11 am but he failed to turn up.

Special public prosecutor Ujjawal Nikam told the court that crime branch officials had gone to the Goregaon residence of the witness to fetch him but his wife had said that Mr. Shaikh had left home early morning, saying that he has to go to the court.

According to crime branch, the witness is a childhood friend of Faheem and is staying in the same locality where Faheem stayed in the city.

Dmurphy · Post by **Dmurphy** » 28 Aug 2009 18:05

Key 26/11 witness goes missing

A key witness who deposed against Indian nationals Faheem and Sabauddin in the 26/11 case has gone missing, the prosecution told the special court on Friday.

shravan · Post by **shravan** » 29 Aug 2009 00:16

26/11 terror case: Mumbai police trace missing witness

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 29 Aug 2009 17:49

Pak Court adjourns 26/11 trial and bars media coverage

A Pakistani anti-terrorism court conducting the trial of five LeT operatives accused of involvement in the Mumbai attacks on Saturday ordered a blackout on the media coverage of the proceedings, though sources said the in-camera hearing had been adjourned till September 1.

Judge Baqir Ali Rana of anti-terrorism court no 2, who is conducting the trial in the high-security Adiala Jail in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, issued the gag order for the media on Saturday morning.

Though the order itself was not made public, sources told it stated that the proceedings would be kept totally secret and "not published" in any manner as the case had implications for national security and national interests.

The order said the media blackout was also necessary for the security of witnesses and the judge. Sources also said the next hearing was set for September 1 though there was no official word on this.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 31 Aug 2009 09:37

NSA Narayanan's take on the Pakistani assistance in probing 26/11

The NSA attributed the progress Pakistan had made so far in investigating the Mumbai case to American pressure. Asked if he’d expected Islamabad to do as much as it had, he said, “We didn’t. But we knew that if the Americans leaned on them, they would. And, therefore, most of our effort at the high level, at least from my side … was primarily to get them to lean on the Pakistanis.” India knew that whatever it said or did, the Pakistanis would do little. “I think the Americans certainly helped a lot… Since their nationals were also killed, [we told them] this was as much an attack on you as it is on us.” Thanks to the FBI and CIA, he said, “the Pakistanis were more forthcoming in accepting some of the basics.” But he said he did not expect them to go any further on the investigative front. “They’ve done just enough to take the heat off them from the West. I think that’s where we are.”

JE Menon · Post by **JE Menon** » 01 Sep 2009 01:38

As clean a summary of the situation as we are likely to get ...

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 01 Sep 2009 07:24

Is there anything odd about the Mumbai Terrorist attack and TSP linkage? Any thng out of the way or a pattern?

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 01 Sep 2009 08:52

Ramana, I see two things.

Targetting Western & Israeli citizens. Leaving out Al-Faran which kidnapped and decapitated 5 Western tourists in J&K in 1995 and the botched attempt by Omar Saeed Sheikh in 1994 in Delhi/Ghaziabad, there were no attempts on foreigners.
Brazenness. The ISI was not concerned about international investigators unravelling the plot. They used the Internet, VoIP, targetted Western civilians brazenly. They knew the VoIP and telephone conversations will be tapped and traced back. When the terrorists reported back to their handler that they forgot the GPS on board Kuber, there was no undue alarm. Since the Kabul attack on Indian Embassy, the pattern is for the ISI to leave tell-tale marks.

svinayak · Post by **svinayak** » 01 Sep 2009 09:47

SSridhar wrote: Since the Kabul attack on Indian Embassy, the pattern is for the ISI to leave tell-tale marks. [/list]

This is the departure from after the 911 attacks.
This attack is to show defiance and to show that Uncle cannot protect India from anything.

We have to see if Uncle has changed and if it s turning point for Af Pak policies for Uncle and the west.

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 01 Sep 2009 10:44

ramana wrote:Is there anything odd about the Mumbai Terrorist attack and TSP linkage? Any thng out of the way or a pattern?

IMO, one thing simply does not add up. And that is the trageting of Jewish home. There is no way TSPA/ISI/RAPE would have endoresed that; and thats what led to western opprobrium. It could be that TSPA/ISI/RAPE lost control once the operation started, and blood thirsty piglets (and their handlers) deviated from the plan. The targetring of westerners also does not make sense, but on that count, given that SDREs were overwhelmingly slaughtered, humiliated, and put on notice, the western lives lost is just collateral damage.

Anujan · Post by **Anujan** » 01 Sep 2009 10:55

CRamS wrote:IMO, one thing simply does not add up. And that is the trageting of Jewish home. There is no way TSPA/ISI/RAPE would have endoresed that; and thats what led to western opprobrium. It could be that TSPA/ISI/RAPE lost control once the operation started

There are two issues

1. Who in the ummah gives a damn about pakis fighting SDREs over cashmere ? On the other hand, if the pakis kill Jews and westerners, they immediately become more pious and represent the keeda and part of the pious-infidel struggle.
2. It is inevitable that the guys who bankroll the pakis and their madrassas, ultimately will get some say on what the piglets do. The piglets after all, should earn their money.

amardeep_s · Post by **amardeep_s** » 01 Sep 2009 11:21

seen along with the statement of S-al-S not being one step forward or backward,
any thing chankyan about it ?

‘Hafiz Saeed not litmus test, but Pak action important’

Litmus test will be a strong term to use for how Pakistan deals with Hafiz Saeed and his alleged terrorist activities against India but it is important, The Hindu newspaper quoted India’s National Security Adviser MK Narayanan as saying on Monday.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.as ... 2009_pg1_4
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.as ... 009_pg7_47

a chankyan game is about to begin , cheers © brf , 2009

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Sep 2009 01:51

X-posted..

shyamd wrote:Somali pirates using Pakistani arms: Indian Navy
Pakistan has found Somali sea pirates as the new tools in its covert war against India, the Indian Navy confirmed on Tuesday.

From jihad factories in Pakistan to pirate terror off the Gulf of Aden, Pakistan's hidden war against India has been crossing the seas.

There have been numerous attacks by Somali pirates on merchant ships with Indian crew on board. And, the Navy destroyer - INS Mysore - reported the Pakistani link to Somali pirates.

Nine months ago, during action against pirate ship Salahuddin, the Indian Navy patrol ships found material evidence of Pakistan's sinister plot.

Most of the weapons used by the Somali brigands bore the stamp of Pakistani ordnance factories. The rocket-propelled grenade launcher and the rifles seized from the boat were all made-in-Pakistan. Even the magazines recovered had Pak ordnance factory tags.

The revelation has raised serious concerns about a possible link between the sea pirates and the suspected terrorist groups.

Wouldnt this put the date to right after the Mumbai terrorist attack? Who was sleeping at the wheel and de-linked the two issues?

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Sep 2009 01:57

SSridhar, Acharya and CRS, Thanks for the responses. So since 1993 Mumbai blasts we are seeing a further Islamization in the terrorist strikes-targets etc. And the US response is unchanged.It is to stop Indian retaliation if any is planned. And India still treats these terrorists as criminal offence and goes along with US advice. What is making it do that?

And note usually if any Jewsish people are targetted israel goes over the top. But not in TSP case. Recall the Dutch individual killed in Kashmir was Jewish.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 02 Sep 2009 02:58

ramana wrote:And note usually if any Jewsish people are targetted israel goes over the top. But not in TSP case. Recall the Dutch individual killed in Kashmir was Jewish.

IMO, perhaps they are restrained by uncle. AND Pak and Israel talk, which is a FACT. After 26/11, Zardari asked Isreal, whether 26/11 was for real.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 02 Sep 2009 03:22

shyamd wrote:
ramana wrote:And note usually if any Jewsish people are targetted israel goes over the top. But not in TSP case. Recall the Dutch individual killed in Kashmir was Jewish.
IMO, perhaps they are restrained by uncle. AND Pak and Israel talk, which is a FACT. After 26/11, Zardari asked Isreal, whether 26/11 was for real.

Can you elaborate? Why didnt he ask his own folks? Or is he thinking somebody staged it?

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 02 Sep 2009 03:47

These are the facts and the background info on their recent relationship:

Our Israeli Birathars have been trading intelligence notes with ISI for a year now. Zardari's advisors met in europe with israeeli foreign ministrywallahs

CIA/MI6 and yindu's believed that terrorists were of paki origin. But Zardari wanted 2nd opinion and asked their brothers in Israa eel.

First official meet: Initiative from Turkiye, Puki & Israa eeli Foreign ministers, meet up in Istanbul, Turkiye. Kasuri and Shalom on september 1st 2005.

It appears our israeeli birathers are in regular contact with their counterparts in Pukistan (Relationship re-started in 2007). Mossad is maintaining this relationship. This relationship started when BB advisors contacted Israaeeli's for procurement of important eqpt for her personal security. The main contact between the 2 in 2007 was the current interior minister Malik. Now Zardari is in contact with Israeeli's as well. The recent secret stuff is facilitated by a european businessman who has good ties with both sides.

However, back channel contacts in one form or another have taken place since the 1950s. The clandestine encounters were usually held at the UN where the ambassadors of the two countries met from time to time.

----------------
Ramana, you ask did he think someone staged it? Possibly.
Why didn't he ask his own folks? They probably told him something else. He used his advisors to probably check on ISI/military advisors despite the fact that CIA/MI6 gave him the facts(Probably doesnt trust the duo, due to Afpak issues).

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 02 Sep 2009 20:29

Rehman Malik says India could have avoided 26/11 had it shared intel with TSP
This is audacious and atrocious. What to do, we have to bear all these because we do not retaliate to cause insufferable pain to the Pakis.

Malik spoke exclusively to Arab News on wide-ranging issues:

Jamat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed was arrested and then released by the court amid accusations that the police failed to present foolproof charges against him. Now Interpol has issued a red-corner notice against him. How do you react to it and what would you do to facilitate his arrest?

Pakistan needs to examine the evidence provided by India on the basis of which Interpol issued a red-corner notice against Hafiz Saeed. Certain procedures are required to pursue the notice. Even if a red-corner notice has been issued against him, the government was not obliged to immediately arrest him. We are free to make our own investigations against the man, and then take steps accordingly.

What is the truth behind India’s dossiers on the Mumbai attack? What evidences have they provided? Are they sufficient enough to prove the accused guilty in a court?

First of all I would like to say we are doing our part to bring the Mumbai attackers to justice. But as far as the much-trumpeted Indian dossiers are concerned, they are nothing but information based on the statement of a lone surviving attacker, Ajmal Qasab. We have asked them to provide us with SIM card information, the transcript of the conversation between the attackers and their handler, certified statements from officials involved in various aspects of the investigation, and so much other information, but as of now they have not given us any concrete information.

Evidence provided in three dossiers is, in our considered view, not sufficient to link Hafiz Saeed to the attack and to punish those who are guilty. {This is the first time, IIRC, he has indicated that the other five arrested and whose trial is going on in ATC in Karachi will also be released for lack of evidence from India} We appeal to India to share information with us, and also to keep faith in our legal system and judiciary. I also urge India to provide dossiers regarding the Samjhota Express tragedy, which is as significant as the Mumbai attacks. Let me tell you, India could have prevented the terror attacks in Mumbai if they had shared intelligence with us after the arrest of two terrorists — Fahim Ansari and Sabah Uddin.

shynee · Post by **shynee** » 02 Sep 2009 21:24

Pak 'not obliged' to arrest Hafiz Saeed: Malik

Sumeet · Post by **Sumeet** » 04 Sep 2009 19:08

Pak trashes India's 26/11 dossier, says it's old info

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday described the latest dossier provided by India on the Mumbai attacks as a "rehash of information" contained in previous documents, indicating that it is inadequate for taking action against Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Mohammad Saeed.

"The last dossier from India was a rehash of information received in previous dossiers," Foreign Office Spokesman Abdul Basit told a weekly news briefing.

Basit was responding to a question about India linking the resumption of peace talks to Pakistan taking action against the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks, including Saeed. New Delhi has accused Saeed of playing a key role in planning and facilitating the attacks.

The spokesman did not say how Pakistan intended to deal with Saeed, for whom Interpol recently issued a Red Corner Notice.

The trial of suspects arrested by Pakistani authorities in connection with the Mumbai attacks is proceeding and Islamabad is "serious about bringing the perpetrators to book," Basit said.

At the same time, he said, Pakistan "still believes that the composite dialogue is the only way forward." He also made it clear that if the stalled dialogue were to be resumed, "it would not be a favour to Pakistan because talks and exchange of views is the only way" to improve ties between the two sides.

"Whether we like it or not, we have to come to the negotiating table. And our view is the sooner the better," Basit said.

In response to another question, he said Pakistan was awaiting India's formal response to its invitation for Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao to come to Islamabad for talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir.

"We do not yet have a date or venue for a meeting between the Foreign Secretaries," he said.

Basit also said there was no proposal for the Prime Ministers of the two countries to meet on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Summit in Trinidad in November.

India put on hold the composite dialogue process in the wake of the Mumbai attacks, which were blamed on the Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT). A Pakistani anti-terrorism court is currently trying seven suspects arrested by authorities in connection with the assault.

Among them are LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and communications expert Zarar Shah.

Basit also said that Pakistan was "disturbed" by reports that India could be preparing for additional nuclear tests and hoped a unilateral moratorium on testing would remain in place in the region.

"We are disturbed by media reports that India might be considering to conduct additional (nuclear) tests," Basit said at the same weekly news briefing.

Basit was responding to a question on concerns expressed by Indian Army chief General Deepak Kapoor about a reported increase in Pakistan's nuclear arsenal.

Pakistan does not "discuss the contours of our deterrence in public" but is committed to maintaining a "credible deterrence at the minimum levels," he said.

Pakistan is also opposed to any arms race in South Asia, he added.

"We have proposed a regional restraint regime, including a regional nuclear test ban treaty. The proposal is still on the table. We hope a unilateral moratorium on testing in the region will continue to be observed," Basit said.

Leading Indian defence scientist K Santhanam's recent remarks that the test of a thermonuclear bomb in 1998 was not as successful as was claimed triggered speculation that New Delhi could be preparing for further tests to validate the design of its nuclear weapons.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has refuted Santhanam's claims.

In response to another question, Basit said Pakistan was not "blocking" nuclear disarmament talks at the UN-sponsored Conference on Disarmament.

"Pakistan has shown flexibility and did not block the talks. We would not like our genuine security interests to be compromised in any manner," he said.

Earlier this week, arms negotiators failed to clear the way for the start of talks in Geneva on nuclear disarmament as Pakistan said its security interests had not been respected.

The Conference on Disarmament broke a 12-year stalemate in May when it agreed on a "work programme" to begin negotiations on banning the production of fissile material for nuclear bombs.

Basit said Pakistan went along with the work programme in May with the hope that it would lead to a balanced outcome.

This included progress on nuclear disarmament, banning production of fissile material, preventing an arms race in outer space and "negative security assurances," whereby countries vow not to use atomic weapons on non-nuclear weapon states.

"We have legitimate concerns...the other countries did not show flexibility and so the Conference on Disarmament could not implement the work programme," he said.

Pak has to decide what kind of ties it wants: India

New Delhi: India on Friday rejected Pakistan's claim that adequate evidence was not available to prosecute Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed and said it must act against the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks as it has to "decide" what kind of ties it wants with New Delhi.

Official sources pointed out that Pakistan has already admitted that the 26/11 attacks were planned and executed by its nationals from its soil and hence should have information about them. "We are only assisting that process," they said.

They noted that India has regularly given information and evidence as and when it was collected and collated.

India has also made it clear that it was ready to provide more information whenever available, they said.

Harsha.H.D · Post by **Harsha.H.D** » 05 Sep 2009 11:27

Forgotten 26/11 hero gets only Rs 500 as award

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 05 Sep 2009 14:32

Pakistan not serious in punishing Mumbai attackers: SM Krishna

"According to legal experts, the six dossiers which we have provided to Pakistan contain enough evidence against the conspirators, abettors and perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks to get them punished in a court of law," he told reporters here.

"If Pakistan were to be serious about taking the logical steps to punish those responsible for the attack on

India or Mumbai, this is an instance that they can show to the world and India that they are serious," he said.

The Minister said India is fully aware that Pakistan is the "epicentre of terror in this region". This, he said, has been brought to the notice of Pakistan as well as friendly countries.

shyamd · Post by **shyamd** » 05 Sep 2009 15:51

On 26/11 trail, Chidambaram heads for US next week

During the three-day visit starting Tuesday, his first international trip after taking over as Home Minister last December, Chidambaram will meet US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, National Security Advisor James Jones, Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair, top officials of department of Homeland Security and FBI among others.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 05 Sep 2009 20:34

TSP deliberately stifling Mumbai probe: P.Chidambaram

India on Saturday slammed Pakistan accusing it of deliberately "stifling" probe into the Mumbai attacks and made it clear that action
against the perpetrators of the strikes was a condition for resumption of dialogue.

Home Minister P Chidambaram also put Pakistan in a spot over Jamaat-ud Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed by citing details about his involvement in the Mumbai attacks, information regarding which has already been given to Islamabad.

"...We are thoroughly, totally dissatisfied with the Pakistani response," he told Al Jazeera TV.

Asked why India was not satisfied, he replied "Because they are not arresting the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. They are still on Pakistan soil. We know their names...we have shared their names with them. They are not investigating the case. The trial hasn't opened yet. It will be a year on the 26th of November."

Questioned whether he believed that Pakistan is "deliberately holding up" the investigation, Chidambaram said "Yes. Regrettably that is the answer but yes."

Queried whether he meant to say that Pakistan government was "deliberately stifling" the investigation into the Mumbai attacks, the Home Minister responded by saying "Yes".

Asked what the evidence against Saeed was, he read out from some document: "December 2007- January 2008 he was in a place where (lone arrested terrorist Ajmal) Kasab and others were trained.

"He spoke to the trainees on many occasions. There was another training camp at a place called Chekhalabandi Mountain of Muzaffarabad.

"Hafiz Saeed was in the camp and met the trainees. He was accompanied by a person known as 'Major General Saab. Hafiz Saeed finally selected the trainees and gave them new names. Kasab was given a new name 'Abu Mujahib'. That name was given by Hafiz Saeed."

Pakistan's reaction can be easily foreseen, that Kasab made these under duress, that they found no training camp in Chekhalabandi in Muzzafarabad, that 'Major General Saab' is too generic a reference and they canot take action unless India produces the NADRA card of this gentleman, that these will not stand in a court of Law especially in Pakistan whose criminal laws are most stringent in the whole world etc. etc.

CRamS · Post by **CRamS** » 06 Sep 2009 01:20

SSridhar:

TSP skunks' reaction is well know and expected. What India needs to fight are the western liars and hypocrites who will use the same argument to protect Pakis. Asking for evidence that Pakis are responsible for 26/11 and countless other terrro attacks is as much ipso facto that Carla Bruni has slept with other men besides Sarkozy

.

And it is laughable how much evidence the west provides before shooting at 'bad guys' they label and their people.

Thoo it makes me throw up watching India being humiliated, first by paki terrorism, and then by the still western colonized world.

Yogi_G · Post by **Yogi_G** » 06 Sep 2009 09:54

I saw PC say on TV that replying to Pakistan's clarifications and additional demands for proof is tiresome! It seems he will not respond again to their queries whatsoever. So does the buck stop here? Is this the end of the road for the case against the perpetrators of the 26/11 attrocity? Our minister finds it tiresome and the Pakistani minister feels Pakistan is not obliged to do anything. Is it safe at this point to think if the military option could have been exercised? Bomb first and then ask questions would have worked?

archan · Post by **archan** » 06 Sep 2009 12:16

One needs balls to bomb.

Gagan · Post by **Gagan** » 06 Sep 2009 14:31

This is one trend that I see with all TSP dictators and Indian PMs

1. The moment a new COAS / ISI chief takes over in Pakistan, he tries to prove his pro-pakistan credentials by attacking india. (This adds to their CV in pakistan)

2. Every new individual who occupies the PM's post in New Delhi, tries bonhomie with pakistan. This goes on until pakistan slaps the PM across the face by its duplicity. Then the PM realizes what a grave error he had done by undermining india's intel agencies from doing their job. But by that time, the PM is on his way out.

Like a Kaalchakra, the cycle repeats itself...

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 06 Sep 2009 15:03

Yogi_G wrote:I saw PC say on TV that replying to Pakistan's clarifications and additional demands for proof is tiresome! It seems he will not respond again to their queries whatsoever. So does the buck stop here? Is this the end of the road for the case against the perpetrators of the 26/11 attrocity? Our minister finds it tiresome and the Pakistani minister feels Pakistan is not obliged to do anything. Is it safe at this point to think if the military option could have been exercised? Bomb first and then ask questions would have worked?

As for the end of the raod, read this posted in this same page. That was the assessment of NSA Narayanan that pretty much summed up the feeling of the GoI. Pakistan showed to the rest of the world, especially the US, that it was taking some action and India was delaying giving all the information. Now, even that facade is discarded. Worse things will follow. Pakistan was already not intent on pursuing the 26/11 case and the capitulation at S-e-S has only hardened its intent. We always fall for this simple bait that somehow our decision 'should help democratic forces in Pakistan because that will deliver for us in the long run'. We fell for it in 1972 when ZAB, a known hardliner on India, got away with everything because we wanted to strengthen the fledgeling democracy. Now, this.

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 06 Sep 2009 15:12

X-post

Bhima wrote:India to inform U.S. about Pak’s reluctance to punish 26/11 accused