Mumbai terror attack: pak says attacks planned outside

Well-placed sources in Pakistan have told NDTV that the investigations into the Mumbai attacks lead beyond Pakistani territory. Interior Ministry officials have given hint to Pakistani media that the 26/11 attacks were planned outside Pakistan.

A three-member team was set up by Pakistan's Interior Ministry to probe the attacks. The ministry is expected to review the initial probe at a high level meeting today.

Pakistan made several public statements saying it would share all its finding with India and the rest of the world. India has blamed Pakistan-based elements, including the Lashker-e-Taiba, for masterminding the attacks that killed nearly 180 people.

On Wednesday, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari reportedly said that the probe results on the Mumbai attacks will be shared with India in two to three days.

The probe is based on the information provided by the Indian government to the Pakistan authorities.

Pakistan had on January 17 assured India that the preliminary probe would be completed in 10 days.

They also said that if any Pakistani was found involved in the attacks, he would be tried in Pakistan and would not be handed over to India.

Qasab, Modi's Qasab remark sparks controversy

Modi's Qasab remark sparks controversy

Press Trust of India

Saturday, January 24, 2009 8:39 PM (Ahmedabad)

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday came in for a sharp criticism from state leaders in BJP and Opposition Congress for his controversial remarks on evidence gathered in Mumbai terror attack which has given handle to Pakistan to counter India's position.

"The remarks are unwanted, unwarranted and uncalled for," said former Chief Minister and BJP leader Suresh Mehta, who believed that, "One did not expect this kind of statement from a Chief Minister."

"Chief Minister's chair carries certain responsibilities and the first and foremost is the interest of the country," Mehta, a known detractor of Modi, said. "A chief minister should not indulge in rhetoric while forgetting discretion," he added.

The Congress described his remarks as "loose talk and cheap rhetoric" and alleged that such statements would help Pakistan, which is being cornered internationally.

The party spokesperson Arjun Modhvadia said that Modi is trying to help Pakistan by making such "irresponsible and damaging statements and remarks."

Modi had recently said that even in India a mere statement is not regarded as evidence under the existing laws. He had wondered that, "What if Pakistan and US both ask India if our law has similar provision which accepts (Ajmal) Qasab's statement as evidence? What can be more unfortunate?"

Following his statement Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani sought to take advantage of Modi's remarks by claiming that he "agreed" with Pakistan's stance on the issue.

"I want to set the record straight. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has said that mere information cannot be evidence. He agreed with my stand that information is not evidence," Gilani said on Friday.