26/11 probe to figure in next Indo-Pak talks
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New Delhi, Feb. 13: After India’s recent round of talks with Pakistan in Bhutan, the Union home secretary, Mr G.K. Pillai, is likely to extend an invitation to his Pakistani counterpart Mr Chaudhry Qamar Zaman for discussions here next month. Among the issues likely to be discussed are cross-border terrorism and the progress in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
“I will invite my Pakistani counterpart to New Delhi. I will propose two sets of dates to him for a meeting in second-half of next month,” Mr Pillai said.
According to sources this will be first bilateral secretary-level meeting on counter-terrorism, including progress on the 26/11 trial in a Rawalpindi court.
When asked about the issues to be taken up during the meeting with Mr Zaman, Mr Pillai said, “From our side it will be, of course, progress on investigations related to 26/11 probe.”
“So far most of the people they have caught are those who either sold outboard engine or driven a taxi and not anyone of the main people whose voice has been identified by David Coleman Headley, a Pakistani-American Lashkar-e-Tayeeba (LeT) operative, he said. No use of catching people on the street and not the real handlers, who were behind the attacks,” he added.
Mr Pillai further said a commission may even be sent to the United States for getting evidence from Headley, his wife and from some other people, for which it would talk to the US authorities. “We need to get full evidence. We cannot call them here because the request for examining his wife is still pending with the US government. We have not received any response yet,” he said.
He further rejected the view that recent developments in the investigations into the Samjhauta Express blast indicating involvement of right-wing extremists will put pressure on India while talking with Pakistan a on terrorism.
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