India's government is expressing optimism that the United Nations will
respond favorably to its request to outlaw a Pakistani group linked to the
recent terror attack on Mumbai. Meanwhile, Pakistan's prime minister says that
connection needs to be looked into before Islamabad can take action against the
Islamic charity.
Indian officials say the ball is now in the court of
the international community, to take action against the organization it believes
is the front for the Laskhar-e-Taiba terror outfit.
India accuses
Lashkar of plotting the assault on its commercial capital, which killed about
170 people, including nine of the attackers. It has formally asked the United
Nations Security Council to ban the Pakistan-based charity, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, and
declare it a terrorist organization. India contends Jamaat is the parent body of
the terror group known for fighting Indian rule in the disputed Kashmir region.
Charity group linked to Mumbai terrorists
Indian Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon,
speaking to reporters in New Delhi, says the charity is clearly linked to the
terrorist group, which is also blamed for previous attacks in India.
"We
think the perpetrators of the attack on Mumbai were Lashkar-e-Taiba people and
it was organized by them. Let's see what the international community does. We
hope that they will respond positively to our request," said Menon.
After Pakistan banned Lashkar in 2002, Jamaat came to the forefront as
the group's political and charitable wing. It denies any role in carrying out
terrorist attacks.
Pakistan calls for investigation
Pakistani Prime Minister
Yousuf Raza Gilani - responding to the Indian request to ban Jamaat - says there
must be an investigation before such action can be taken.
"I want to put
the record straight," he said.
The Pakistani prime minister, speaking to
reporters in Multan, denies his government is under any pressure from India to
shut down Jamaat. He says any action taken by Pakistan will be in the interest
of the country and its people. He adds Pakistan will investigate any findings
sent to Islamabad by Indian intelligence agencies.
Mr. Gilani did confirm
the arrest of two senior members of L-e-T, as suspects in the conspiracy behind
the Mumbai attack.
International pressure mounts for action against terror
group
In the past week, both India and the United States have been
calling for Pakistan's government to take concrete action to identify and arrest
those responsible for the siege on Mumbai.
India says 10 Pakistani
gunmen, trained by the terror group, carried out the attack which lasted 60
hours. Most of those who died were gunned down at two luxury hotels, a Jewish
community center, a train station and a cafe.
India has insisted that
those arrested in Pakistan for involvement in the terrorist strike be put on
trial here. But Islamabad says any such legal proceedings would have to take
place in Pakistan