NEW DELHI, Nov 10:
Government today said it was hopeful of getting voice samples of Pakistan-based handlers of 26/11 Mumbai attackers and speedy trial of the seven prime accused including LeT commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi there.
Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said he has asked his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik to hand over the voice samples of those Pakistanis who were giving directions to the 10 terrorists during the audacious terror attack in 2008 that claimed 166 lives.
“We are hopeful that we will get the voice samples. They (Pakistan) will consult their legal department. They may come to us with something. We will also consult our legal department”, he told a press conference here.
Asked whether inviting the Pakistani cricket team to play in India was not a climb down in New Delhi’s position as Islamabad has not delivered on its promises vis-a-vis 26/11 case, Union Home Secretary R K Singh said India has been consistently pressing Pakistan to take action against those involved in the Mumbai attack as well as handing over the voice samples.
“Pakistan government has informed us that it has requested the Rawalpindi court to hold day-to-day trial against the seven prime accused (including Lakhvi) who are in jail,” he said.
Sources said Islamabad has conveyed to New Delhi that it was framing a new law under which voice samples of an accused could be taken legally and handed over to any other country.
India has also asked Pakistan to record the voice samples of 26/11 handlers through other means and match it with the samples given by India.
The Home Secretary said India has also asked Pakistan to take action against the “ring leaders” of the 26/11 attack.
“We have told Pakistan that there are some ring leaders who should also be put on trial. We keep telling them. There is no climb down of our position,” he said.
Singh said the decision of reviving the bilateral cricket ties was taken by the Ministry of External Affairs and the responsibility of providing security to the Pakistani cricket team and the game venues is with the Home Ministry.
“We will provide foolproof security. We are competent enough to live up to the responsibility,” he said.
Shinde said sports and politics should not be mixed as the cricket series will pave the way for improvment in ties between India and Pakistan.
Shinde said there would be no compromise on the security of Pakistani cricketers and spectators.
Asked about the proposed visit of Pakistan’s Interior Minister to India to operationalise the new India-Pak visa agreement, Shinde said the dates for the tour has not yet been finalised yet. (PTI)
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