Indian PM says Pakistan 'agencies' linked to attacks

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accused Pakistan yesterday of acting irresponsibly, saying November's Mumbai attacks must have had support from some of its nuclear-armed neighbour's official agencies.

The Prime Minister's comments were the latest in almost daily government criticism of Pakistan, in a sign that New Delhi has become increasingly frustrated at what it sees as Islamabad's slowness at identifying and arresting the attack's planners.

India blames Pakistan militants for the coordinated strikes in November by 10 gunmen that killed 179 people and have revived tension between two nations that have fought three wars since 1947.

Mr Singh said investigations, including by intelligence agencies from some of the foreign countries whose nationals were killed in the attack, had also suggested official complicity.

"There is enough evidence to show that, given the sophistication and military precision of the attack, it must have had the support of some official agencies in Pakistan," he said.

India sent evidence on Monday to Pakistan that it said linked Pakistani militants to the attacks, including data from satellite phones and the confession of a surviving attacker.

"India has given us some material, we are examining it," Shahid Malik, the Pakistan High Commissioner, told reporters in New Delhi. "There is no question of rejection or otherwise."

The evidence was also sent to countries whose citizens were victims of the attacks, such as the United States, as India tried to corner Pakistan diplomatically into bringing the perpetrators to justice.

Mr Singh wants international pressure to persuade Islamabad to dismantle what it says are terrorist training camps on Pakistani territory and extradite 40 suspects.

India has said it suspects that the Pakistan military spy agency ISI gave some support to the attack, and says it is frustrated by Pakistani denials.

Meanwhile, Pakistan rejected yesterday Indian Prime Minister Singh's accusation that November's Mumbai attacks must have had support from some official Pakistani agencies.

"The government of Pakistan emphatically rejects the unfortunate allegations levelled against Pakistan by the Prime Minister of India," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"Instead of responding positively to Pakistan's offer of cooperation and constructive proposals, India has chosen to embark on a propaganda offensive," it said.