Accessibility links

Breaking News
News

Pakistan Confirms Arrests of Terror Suspects


Pakistan's prime minister has confirmed that Pakistani police are holding two leaders of a militant group India says was behind last month's attacks in Mumbai.

Yousuf Raza Gilani said Wednesday that Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah are in detention. Both are accused of belonging to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba group.

There were reports of Lakhvi's arrest earlier this week, but the Pakistani government only confirmed the detentions today.

India has been stepping up pressure on Pakistan to do more to crack down on those responsible for the attacks that killed more than 170 people.

Indian police have released the names of nine suspected gunmen killed during the three-day siege. Police said authorities have traced the men's hometowns to Pakistan.

In New York, India urged the U.N. Security Council to declare Islamic charity Jammat-ud-Dawa, widely regarded as a front for the Lashkar-e-Taiba group, a terrorist outfit.

Indian Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed also called on the Security Council to add anyone responsible for the Mumbai attacks to a U.N. terrorism blacklist.

India's foreign secretary, Shivshankar Menon, says Lashkar-e-Taiba planned and carried out the attacks. But Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Lashkar's charitable and political wing, denies any involvement in the shootings.

Mr. Gilani says his government will not ban the charity group without first carrying out an investigation.

Pakistani officials have said they will not turn over suspects to India. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi says Pakistan will take action against them in its own legal system.

XS
SM
MD
LG