Thaindian News

New Delhi, Nov 26 (IANS) On the third anniversary of the 26/11 carnage, India Saturday reminded Pakistan that it was still awaiting “decisive” action against perpetrators of the Mumbai terror and underlined that it has provided “enough evidence” to prosecute the guilty.

External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna also warned against the dangers of using terrorism as “an instrument of state policy” and made it clear to Pakistan that the resumed dialogue can only proceed in an atmosphere free from terror.

“We are still waiting for Pakistan to act decisively to bring to justice the perpetrators of the mindless violence that was unleashed on Mumbai. We are still waiting,” Krishna told reporters here.

“I once again call on our neighbor to bring the perpetrators of the crime to speedy justice,” Krishna said on the third anniversary of the audacious attacks by Pakistani terrorists in 2008 in which 166 people were killed.

A day after Pakistan asked India to provide “credible evidence” against the 26/11 accused, Krishna stressed that the “evidence which has been provided by (Ministry of) Home Affairs would be sufficient for normal civil court.”

“I think the evidence provided by the ministry of home affairs would be sufficient for any normal civilian court to prosecute the people involved in the conspiracy and the perpetrators of this crime,” Krishna said.

Amid continuing suspicion in India that a part of Pakistan’s military establishment was involved in plotting the Mumbai carnage, Krishna warned against using terror as part of state policy. “It must be realized that use of terrorism as an instrument of state policy, has no place in today’s world and is self destructive.”

With a combative opposition accusing the government of going soft on terror emanating from Pakistan, Krishna made it clear that “issues have to be resolved through a peaceful dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.”

Asked about the visit of Pakistan Judicial Commission to India to interview some officials connected with the 26/11 terror attack probe, Krishna said the two countries were working on its modalities.

“It has been agreed in principle. Let is wait for the dates,” he said. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Reman Malik Friday said India hadn’t provided sufficient evidence against Hafiz Saeed, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief and the suspected 26/11 mastermind.

“As far as Hafiz Saeed is concerned, there is no evidence against him. We had initially arrested him, then he got relief from both the High Court and the Supreme Court,” Rehman said Friday night.

Rejecting selective fight against terror, Krishna said: “No cause can justify the use of terrorism for attainment of goals, whatsoever they may be! There also cannot be a selective fight against terror.”

“The scourge of terrorism has to be comprehensively fought and eradicated in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.

On the third anniversary of the Mumbai attacks, Krishna also paid homage to “the innocent men, women and children whose lives were most tragically snuffed out by the inhuman act of terrorism, inspired and carried out from across our borders.”

“We also salute the courage and fortitude of the families who lost their loved ones in that senseless act of violence,” he said.