(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI - January 5, 2009: India gave Pakistan what it says is the most detailed evidence yet tying the militants who attacked Mumbai to "elements" in Pakistan on Monday, responding to weeks of demands from Islamabad for proof that the siege began across the border.
India has blamed Pakistani-based militants for the attacks in November that killed 163 people, but Islamabad has denied the accusations and requested proof.
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee speaks at a media briefing, after meeting the Pakistani High Commissioner at the former's office in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
The evidence handed to the Pakistani ambassador in New Delhi included material from the interrogation of the lone surviving gunman, alleged details of conversations between the gunmen and handlers in Pakistan, recovered weapons and data from satellite phones, according to a statement from the Indian Foreign Ministry.
"This material is linked to elements in Pakistan," the ministry statement said. "It is our expectation that the government of Pakistan will promptly undertake further investigations in Pakistan and share the results with us so as to bring the perpetrators to justice."
A Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammed Sadiq, said the authorities were reviewing the evidence and would not elaborate.
India has laid the attack to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant group based in Pakistan, where the authorities have arrested at least two men accused of planning the attacks and began a nationwide crackdown on a charity believed to be a front for Lashkar.
India has called on Pakistan to hand over the suspects and to dismantle what they say is a terrorism network based across the border. Pakistani leaders say they would try any suspects in the attacks in their own courts.
Much of India's evidence against the militants comes from interrogations of Muhammad Ajmal Kasab, the only gunman to survive the attacks. He has reportedly told the authorities that he and nine others were Pakistani, that he was trained in Pakistan and that his handlers are still there.
Pakistan has said it has no record of Kasab as a Pakistani citizen.
The Mumbai attacks began Nov. 26 and lasted for nearly three days. The 10 gunmen attacked 10 sites across Mumbai, the Indian financial capital, including two five-star hotels, the main railroad station, popular restaurants and a Jewish center.
Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee speaks at a media briefing, after meeting the Pakistani High Commissioner at the former's office in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.
The evidence handed to the Pakistani ambassador in New Delhi included material from the interrogation of the lone surviving gunman, alleged details of conversations between the gunmen and handlers in Pakistan, recovered weapons and data from satellite phones, according to a statement from the Indian Foreign Ministry.
"This material is linked to elements in Pakistan," the ministry statement said. "It is our expectation that the government of Pakistan will promptly undertake further investigations in Pakistan and share the results with us so as to bring the perpetrators to justice."
A Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman, Mohammed Sadiq, said the authorities were reviewing the evidence and would not elaborate.
India has laid the attack to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a militant group based in Pakistan, where the authorities have arrested at least two men accused of planning the attacks and began a nationwide crackdown on a charity believed to be a front for Lashkar.
India has called on Pakistan to hand over the suspects and to dismantle what they say is a terrorism network based across the border. Pakistani leaders say they would try any suspects in the attacks in their own courts.
Much of India's evidence against the militants comes from interrogations of Muhammad Ajmal Kasab, the only gunman to survive the attacks. He has reportedly told the authorities that he and nine others were Pakistani, that he was trained in Pakistan and that his handlers are still there.
Pakistan has said it has no record of Kasab as a Pakistani citizen.
The Mumbai attacks began Nov. 26 and lasted for nearly three days. The 10 gunmen attacked 10 sites across Mumbai, the Indian financial capital, including two five-star hotels, the main railroad station, popular restaurants and a Jewish center.
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