India makes formal complaint to Pakistan over attacks

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Members of the Samajwadi Party Youth Brigade burn a Pakistani flag during a protest in the northern Indian city of Varanasi. [Reuters]

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Last Updated: Tue, 2 Dec 2008 20:09:00 +1100

India has formally accused elements in Pakistan of being behind the terrorist attacks in the western city of Mumbai.

The foreign ministry says the high commissioner of Pakistan was called to the Ministry of External Affairs and informed that the recent attacks were carried out by militants from Pakistan.

In New Delhi's first formal complaint to Islamabad, India said it expects strong action will be taken against those responsible for the outrage.

It has also called on Pakistan to hand over a number of terror suspects, including the head of the militant group accused of carrying out the attacks on Mumbai.

Diplomatic sources say the demand was made by India's ambassador to Islamabad at a meeting with senior Pakistani diplomats.

The men sought by New Delhi include Hafeez Sayeed, the chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, the Pakistan-based militant group which has become the focus of investigations into the attacks that have killed at least 188 people and wounded close to 300.

Nations awaiting investigation

India's foreign ministry says investigations show all the militants involved in the Mumbai attacks were Pakistani nationals.

But Pakistan's prime minister says his government wants proof of India's allegation.

Pakistan's government has denied it was in any way linked to the atrocities.

President Asif Ali Zardari has appealed to India not to punish his country for the attacks, saying militants could precipitate a war.

The United States secretary of state, Condoleezza Rice, who is due to visit India this week, says it is crucial that Pakistan exhibit total transparency and cooperation with the Indian investigation into the attacks.