JURIST - Paper Chase: Pakistan official concedes Mumbai attacks partially planned in Pakistan

[JURIST] The November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive] were partially planned in Pakistan, according to statements made Thursday at a news conference by A. Rehman Malik [official profile], the Advisor on Interior Affairs for the Pakistan Ministry of the Interior [official website]. According to Malik, the perpetrators traveled by ship [NYT report] 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 [AP report], but more evidence was needed from Indian authorities for further convictions. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs [official website] said in a press release [text] Wednesday that the Indian government "...expect[s] that the Government of Pakistan take credible steps to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism in Pakistan."

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) [ADL backgrounder], the Pakistani group blamed for the attacks, denied [AFP report] that a senior member had confessed to the Pakistani government [Wall Street Journal report] about the group's involvement. In December, Pakistani officials said they would not hand over [JURIST report] 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 [JURIST report] 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 [JURIST report] 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 [hotel website].

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