Pakistan refutes Indian PM´s allegations on Mumbai attacks

Source: Xinhua | 01-07-2009 18:21

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday criticized his Indian counterpart's allegations against Pakistan on the Mumbai terror attacks, saying India has undertaken a media and diplomatic offensive against his country.

"The terrorist attack in Mumbai in November last year was carried out by a Pakistan-based outfit, the Lashkar-e-Taiba," said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh while addressing a meeting of all the state chief ministers on Tuesday.

Singh said there was enough evidence to show that the attacks had links with some official agencies in Pakistan.

"Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, instead of reciprocating Pakistan's sincere sentiments to move forward towards establishing good, cooperative and friendly relations, has given a statement yesterday while addressing a meeting of Chief Ministers raising serious allegations in connection with Mumbai attacks which is most unfortunate," Gilani said in a statement.

"India has not only refused to cooperate in the investigations pertaining to Mumbai but has chosen to undertake a media and diplomatic offensive against Pakistan," the statement said.

"It is clearly unhelpful to any serious and objective investigations and amounts to unnecessarily whipping up tensions in South Asia," it said.

"I wish to once again reiterate Pakistan's earnest desire to work towards building friendly and cooperative relations with India," Gilani said in the statement.

India's Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee said that India has handed over evidence on the Mumbai attacks to Pakistan on Monday and expected a prompt investigation.

Pakistan confirmed it has received "information material" regarding the Mumbai terror attacks from India, and said it has begun its own investigation.

Pakistan-India tensions were heightened as the Indian side accused Pakistan-based militant groups of involvement in last November's Mumbai attacks, which killed more than 170 people.

The evidence provided by India includes material from the interrogation of the only arrested gunman Mohammed Ajmal Kasab, details of the terrorists communication links, recovered weapons and data retrieved from recovered GPS and satellite phones.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei