Pakistan admits links to Mumbai attacks, arrests chief suspects
But the government also unveiled a slew of foreign links pointing to a network of "non-state actors" providing logistical support from around the globe.
By Issam Ahmed | Correspondent 02.12.09
LAHORE, PAKISTAN – On Thursday, Pakistan admitted for the first time that last November’s terrorist attacks on Mumbai were planned, at least partly, on Pakistani soil, signaling perhaps a new willingness to bring those responsible to justice after months of delays. But the government also seemed keen to dispel the notion that there was any official link between the attackers and any government agencies, instead portraying itself, along with other countries, as a hapless victim.
Pakistan’s Interior Ministry Adviser Rehman Malik told a press conference that “some part of the conspiracy has taken place in Pakistan,” adding that eight people had been arrested – including a few named by India as masterminds.
But he also unveiled a slew of foreign links pointing to a network of “non-state actors” providing logistical support from around the globe. These include:
- Internet phone accounts arranged in Barcelona
- a digital teleconferencing system in Houston
- the use of Indian mobile phone connections
- a domain name registered in Russia
- a satellite phone registered in a Middle Eastern country
- further links to Austria and Italy.
Criticism, pressure from India
After 164 people were killed in Mumbai over three days last November, India was quick to point the finger at its long-standing rival for not doing enough to stop terrorists from using their territory as a base. (Read the Monitor’s article about that here.)
It was not until early January that Pakistan admitted that Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving gunman from the attacks, was a Pakistani, while government officials have over the past few days been pushing a Bangladesh link. As little as eight days ago, Pakistan’s ambassador to the UK denied the attacks had been planned in Pakistan. The government, it appears, is keen to dispel the notion that there was any official link between the attackers and any government agencies, instead portraying itself, along with other countries, as a hapless victim.
Admission coincides with US envoy’s visit
The admission also coincides with a visit to the region by the newly-named US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke – the Monitor wrote about his ‘listening tour‘ on Wednesday. (It may be worth noting that the Pakistani government’s apparent about-face on releasing disgraced nuclear scientist Dr. AQ Khan’s was attributed by the Pakistani media to Holbrooke’s visit.]
India, meanwhile had termed the developments as “positive” but added Pakistan must now dismantle the “infrastructure of terrorism” on its soil.
<< Student leaders 1, Chávez 0. Next: a referendum rematch | MainComments
2. Indian | 02.12.09
I haplessly await these animals to be punished by court of law. Its a welcome step by Pakistan. Pakistan still has long ways to go and I wont be surprised, if Pakistan is ruled by Taliban in near future, if they dont take aggressive steps soon.
3. Pritt | 02.12.09
I am really suprised that it took so long for the world to realize that Pakistan IS the cause for all the teror atack on Indian soil. also Pakistan has and is always been the origination and basic training ground of all terist activty for a long long time. I think U.S.A is really dumb in not realizing or is in serious denial to recognize the fact that Pakistan has nad is a major payer in all the teror activities throught the world. What is even more crazy is that many people who was a part of 911 atack in the U.S.A were basically from or had Pakistani origin and strong ties to Pakistan. Pakistan has always used U.S.A’s money to imporve terorism and portray a picture to the U.S.A that its doing all it can to prevent terorism. U.S.A is blind and dumb and foolinsh and will be that way if it did not wake up and smell the coffee and realize this fact NOW. It will be too late to do so in the near future. The real culprit and enemy is not in Afganistan or Iraq or Iran.the root and the mother or terism is well rooted and formed and is present in Pakistan and in Islamabad. Let takle Pakistan first and now deal with it once and for all and make it close all the Madrassas and other so called “Holy” places where the main motive is to grow terist and infuse innocent minds with “Anti-Social” and Psycotic fells and with false Idea of what Islam actually stands for. Hope people will see the histroy of India , Pakistan and that region for the past 2000 years and realize this and agree with me.
4. Anonymous | 02.12.09
No one in Pakistan wants the Taliban to rule. Besides, you have to know more about the Taliban. Taliban are 4 different sects. Some of them don’t like each other. And they are in different areas. Yes, the current government is afraid of doing anything, because have so much pressure from everywhere. But that does not give them an excuse not to do anything. They are quite corrupt! Musharraf was one who actually cared about the country.
6. Nat | 02.12.09
I am glad the Pakistani authorities didn’t claim the perpetrators were a “bunch of crazy white dudes from downtown Des Moines who lost their jobs in the tech sector recession.”
Thank you Pakistan.
7. Muhammad Zafrullah | 02.12.09
With respect I take issue with the title. It seems to be misleading and incriminating at best. If admission that some Pakistanis were involved in the inhuman acts in Bombay is admission of links then India has already admitted links with the Bombay massacre by arresting two of its citizens for arranging cell phones for the murderers.
8. highly intellectual | 02.12.09
Its sad.. In such times, lets not forget that we are all human and are made of same flesh and blood. Governments and terrorist organizations do not depict the mentality and approach of general public in Pakistan. Pakistanis have enough headaches of their own and would like to get any bit of peace they can have for themselves.. May we all educate ourselves to live in harmony.
9. Ramakrishna | 02.12.09
Dont be taken in or be inveigled by such statements from failing Governments.
This is another attempt to cover up ISI who keep the revolver pointing at the temple of those who pretend to govern===
Separate people from power hungry monsters– who wanted partition-not the common man ??? The power-pelf hungry politician, bureaucrat and army man is the source of all trouble.
Dismantle Pakistan an unnatural State. Peace, contentment and prosperity will return to the sub continent historically, ethnically, culturally, spiritually one. ramakrishna
10. Mohammed Rasul | 02.12.09
Shame on Pakistan for denying everything until now and asking for evidence. If Pakistan cannot do anything without evidence - which is inside Pakistan all the time - then they should allow US and United Nations come into Pakistan and search that themselves. The people they have caught are only puppets. The real bad guys are ISI.
11. mahdi | 02.12.09
As long as the Madrassas continue to indoctrinate, dehumanize, program and hardwire young boys from 5 years of age, so long will this insane hatred continue. The teaching that God condones hatred, and in effect God hates, is the vilest concept that has ever been conceived, and even from the standpoint of simple logic is a hopelessly stupid delusion. Yet this is what is taught in the madrassas, and not just taught but rammed down the throats of the pitiable young boys who are sent there, still crying for their mothers. Such teachings and such methods should be outlawed and no longer suffered to exist, and if the criminally minded men who promote this insist on continuing it, then they should be brought to justice.
12. Waseem Shah | 02.12.09
All you guys with perennial hatred for Pakistan need to shut up for a while. It takes time to collect evidence, and to put pieces together, in India they automatically open up a forensic tookit names ‘blame Pakistan kit’ but in Pakistan they dont do that. It’s easy to blame Pakistan, the ISI or the tooth fairy, but if people want serious action to be taken, people to be arrested, and most importantly the right groups closed down, it takes time, and Pakistan is a small country, a poor country, without the resources of the USA, even America with all its might has been unable to catch Bin Ladin and Zawahari, America with its complete stranglehold on Iraq a nation of only 21 million was unable to catch the top Al Qaeda leadership of Zarqawi, and yet Pakistan is battling Al Qaeda and Taliban in 4 different parts of Pakistan, has a new democratic govt in place is facing down a constantly belligerant India and yet still has managed to remain composed despite in addition to everything the suicide bombings in its cities and towns, and you people need to give it credit.
The new govt in Pakistan could fail and if it does, the military would be back, and who knows, the next commander may not be as friendly or amiable as the current setup, so dont push Pakistan too far, when they start pushing back, many of you wont enjoy it.
13. Naradar | 02.12.09
The onus still rests on India to prove that the State of Pakistan was in cahoots with the perpetrators of the Mumbai massacre.
India should also explain how such a well orchestrated attack could have been carried out without help from within India. The Hindoo Taliban claim Indian Muslims are involved - but there has not been a shred of proof.
As a person of Indian origin even I find apalling this attitude of people in India to scream that all attacks in its soil bear the stamp of the Pakistan State. Yes - Pakistan is a failed state and has become one because of the emergence of Taliban like organizations among its populace.
India too is in danger of becoming overwhelmed by its own Hindu Taliban. Indians should work to prevent this from happening and India joining Pakistan as the dredges of the subcontinent.
14. Sai Ram | 02.13.09
Please accept my thanks, Pakistan do what you are doing. Dont worry, it is not acceptance of crime..it is a great sense of maturity and responsibility depicted. Kudos to Government and the investigation agencies of Pakistan
15. Punjabi Munda | 02.13.09
I agree with following:
With respect I take issue with the title. It seems to be misleading and incriminating at best. If admission that some Pakistanis were involved in the inhuman acts in Bombay is admission of links then India has already admitted links with the Bombay massacre by arresting two of its citizens for arranging cell phones for the murderers.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Comment
We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.
Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.
Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.
Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.
1. vipul | 02.12.09
Finally, pakistan had admitted atleast once in string of statements. ISI kept disappearing evidences, media kept writing fairy tales and their own humorous assumptions and government busy discussing with millitants as well as religious institutions whether to accept it or not. All eyes are on official statements.
“Its good to be truthful sometime”