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Pakistan official concedes Mumbai attacks partially planned in Pakistan

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks were partially planned in Pakistan, according to statements made Thursday at a news conference by A. Rehman Malik, the Advisor on Interior Affairs for the Pakistan Ministry of the Interior. According to Malik, the perpetrators traveled by ship from southern Pakistan to Mumbai, where they launched the attack from inflatable boats using outboard engines purchased in Karachi, Pakistan. Malik also announced that most of the suspects in the attack had been arrested, but more evidence was needed from Indian authorities for further convictions. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release Wednesday that the Indian government "...expect that the Government of Pakistan take credible steps to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan." Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Pakistani group blamed for the attacks, denied that a senior member had confessed to the Pakistani government about the group's involvement. In December, Pakistani officials said they would not hand over to India any Pakistani citizens arrested in connection with the attacks, insisting instead on a joint investigation with Indian officials. Early in December, Pakistani police raided a militant camp and arrested Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the head of LeT, along with several other individuals believed to be responsible for the attacks. Days after the attacks, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh convened a meeting of all political parties in order to gather national support for a plan to strengthen security in the country. The attacks in Mumbai, which claimed at least 170 lives, were carried out at ten locations across the city, including the landmark Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on February 12, 2009 (boomark / email).