It's not always easy to get access to terror suspects

"President (Barack) Obama requested me that we show respect to the great people of India, to the 18 police officers who gave lives for their country," Roemer said, explaining the reason for his visit to the 26/11 martyrs' memorial, erected outside the Police Gymkhana. 

Roemer said two policemen had laid down their lives in the US while protecting those working at the Capitol Hill during an attack. India is one of the most indispensable allies to the United States, Roemer said. 


"When we sought access to 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, we could not get it," he said, apparently referring to how difficult at times it was to secure access to those accused of involvement in international terror plots.

Now we want to know who are the brains, who were the handlers...

"Now we want to know who are the brains, who were the handlers...And why they are not being punished...So let Pakistan demonstrate its determination to punish them," he said.

Swift and lengthy punishment for six suspects of Mumbai attacks in Pakistan is important for the US and India

"Swift and lengthy punishment for six suspects of Mumbai attacks in Pakistan is important for the US and India," US Ambassador Timothy J Roemer told reporters after meeting home minister P Chidambaram.

The Ambassador said it was important for the US and India that action is taken against the LeT founder and terror infrastructure in Pakistan is dismantled. 

""Going after Hafiz Saeed and dismantling terror infrastructure in that region is extremely important for both US and India," he said. 

"It is extremely important that these six people be brought to justice and put behind bars and receive sentences commensurate with their crimes against India, US and the world," he had said. 

US asks Pak to take action against perpetrators of 26/11

What else can be concrete proof!

Asked why India was not satisfied, Home minister of India P Chidambaram replied "Because they are not arresting the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks. They are still on Pakistan soil. We know their names...we have shared their names with them. They are not investigating the case. The trial hasn't opened yet. It will be a year on the 26th of November.

"India should not doubt our sincerity in handling this case. Instead of levelling allegations, they should provide us with concrete proof so that we could take this case forward in a meaningful way," foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit said.

"The evidence that we have presented tells any investigator, any prosecutor what Hafiz Saeed did, where he was, whom he met, what he told them, what his role was. If that is not evidence to continue investigation against Hafeez Sayeed what else is evidence," said Chidambaram while pointing out that he himself was a "trained lawyer" who should know such aspects.

So Mr. Basit it's not for the judiciary to arrest the perpetrators, it's for the investigating agency to do that. You know there is prima facie evidence against them! So why delay! What else can be concrete proof! Does your government need video recording of everything! Well even if that can be provided you people are going to say it's not concrete evidence.

Don't doubt our sincerity in 26/11 probe, give proof: Pak

ISLAMABAD: With India accusing it of "deliberately stifling" the probe into Mumbai attacks, Pakistan on Monday said New Delhi should assist it in investigation by giving "concrete proof" instead of making allegations about its sincerity.

"India should not doubt our sincerity in handling this case. Instead of levelling allegations, they should provide us with concrete proof so that we could take this case forward in a meaningful way," foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit said.

Basit said Pakistan's judiciary would decide on the dossiers provided by India with information regarding the Mumbai attacks. "We want to make it clear to India that this is a purely judicial matter and the governments of Pakistan and India cannot do anything about this," he told BBC.

"Only the courts can take a decision on the dossiers," he said, adding that court proceedings had begun against five suspects arrested by Pakistani authorities in connection with the attacks. "The matter is now in the court and it is incorrect to comment on this," Basit said.

Asked about Indian home minister P Chidambaram's remarks about Pakistan's "unwillingness" to prosecute Laskhar-e-Toiba founder Hafiz Saeed, Basit said such comments went against the spirit of the joint statement issued by the Pakistani and Indian premiers after their meeting Sharm el-Sheikh in July.

India put its composite dialogue with Pakistan on hold in the wake of Mumbai attacks, blamed on LeT.

Chidambaram had on Saturday accused Pakistan of "deliberately stifling" the 26/11 probe.