India Names 3 in Mumbai Attacks

ISLAMABAD, Dec 4: The government confirmed on Thursday that India had given a list of three persons allegedly involved in the Mumbai carnage.

“India has given us three names and demanded stern action against them,” the adviser to the prime minister on interior, Rehman Malik, told a press conference.

Asked if the government was contemplating any action on the list of the 20 accused reportedly handed over by India through Pakistan’s ambassador in New Delhi, the adviser said there was no such list. “Only three names have been given. They are Indian nationals Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon, and a Pakistani, Maulana Masood Azhar.”

Mr Malik said that Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon were not in Pakistan, while the government could not take any action against Maulana Masood Azhar unless evidence was provided by India against him.

In response to a question about reports that the ISI chief would send his representatives to India, the adviser said: “I have seen the letter sent by India. It does not mention any Pakistani official required to visit India for information-sharing,” he said.

“India has not asked Pakistan in writing for sending the ISI chief to India. In the letter the Indian government has only asked us to cooperate and share information,” the adviser said.

In reply to a question about fears of an air strike by Delhi on the headquarters of Lashkar-i-Taiba, the adviser said there was no possibility of such attacks. “We do not expect such action from India as the two countries are trying their level best to bring normalcy in their relations,” he said.

On the other hand, the Indian government has accused the ISI of involvement in the Mumbai attacks, claiming that terrorists were from Pakistan.

However, Pakistan has rejected India’s claim, saying it had no direct or indirect link with the incident. “Non-state actors” could have been involved in the attacks, it has contended all along.

Mr Malik denied that Pakistan had handed over a list of suspects to India for extradition. “I have no knowledge of any list handed over to India for extradition.”

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