Pak hints at giving voice samples of 26/11 handlers to India

Pakistan today indicated its willingness to provide voice samples of 26/11 handlers and offer any other kind of cooperation to India, which pressed for prosecution of more people involved in the Mumbai terror attacks.

A day after their meeting here that focused on 26/11 attacks, Home Minister P Chidambaram and his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik talked in a positive tone, saying they were positive about the outcome of their deliberations.

“We will provide every possible assistance in addition to what you are talking about – voice samples,” Malik told reporters when asked whether Pakistan would provide voice samples of the handlers of 26/11 attackers.

India has sought the voice samples in a dossier given to Pakistan last week and Chidambaram is understood to have raised this issue at the meeting with Malik.

Indian investigators want the voice samples of the handlers, who have been identified in the dossiers given by it, to be matched with the recordings of the conversation the Mumbai attackers had with them.

“It is underway. We received dossier four-five days back. I sent it to investigators, and whatever they requested, we will look into it,” Malik said.

Asked whether Pakistan would supply these to India, he said, “I am not denying anything. We will help them take these terrorists to justice like we are trying abettors and conspirators on this side. I am not denying or refusing any cooperation or any assistance.”

The Indian side said the two countries were picking up threads of the process of improving ties interrupted by the Mumbai attacks.

Speaking to reporters separately, Chidambaram said he had conveyed to his counterpart that while seven LeT activists had been arrested in connection with Mumbai attacks, there were more people involved and they should also be prosecuted.

He noted that the trial of seven 26/11 accused being held here was adjourned again today.

Chidambaram said the two leaders discussed whether they could “identify what needs to be done having regard to what has already been done”.