India also expects Pakistan to “take credible steps” to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism on its territory, as reported on the BBC. The Mumbai attacks by 10 gunmen in November 2008, killed 170 people in mostly Western populated tourist spots.
The statement comes after Pakistan’s interior minister Rehman Malik admitted that “some part of the conspiracy has taken place in Pakistan.” Mr. Malik said eight of the suspects from the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group had been arrested and may be prosecuted.
“We have done our best,” said Mr. Malik in a press conference available online. “We have gone the extra mile because that has to be done, and that proves our sincerity, [our] commitment against this act of terrorism.”
Some see the admission as the first step toward easing tension between India and Pakistan after the attacks.
Others, such as the main alliance of militant groups in Kashmir, the United Jihad Council (UJC), condemned the Pakistani government for admitting to Lashkar-e-Taiba’s involvement, according to a BBC report.
Top Indian officials are now meeting to examine the information that has been handed over before determining their next move.
Summary of Mumbai Attacks
The carnage is reported to have started at 10:30 p.m. on Nov. 27, 2008 in Mumbai, when two men carrying AK-47 automatic rifles and grenades made their way into Chhatrapati Sivaji Terminus, Mumbai’s railway hub that commutes millions of people a day. The men then started spraying the concourse with machine gunfire, killing many and leaving the terminal blood-stained.
The assault at the rail station was only the beginning. Within minutes, men with machine guns, bombs and grenades stormed the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai’s premier hotel. A British guest, Raj Patel, told media that the gunmen were “very young, like boys” and in their early 20s.
The gunmen then herded “anyone with British and American passports” to the roof.
At 3:30 am, a loud explosion was heard in the heritage wing of the hotel. The explosion ripped apart one of India’s most enduring iconic structures. Explosions had also been heard at the Oberoi hotel, another landmark hotel in Mumbai. Gunmen are believed to have also taken dozens of hostages at the Oberoi and sealed them off at the roof.
Gunfire and explosions were also reported in at least 7 to 16 other locations across Mumbai.
