US asks Pak to bring perpetrators of 26/11 attack to justice

The US has asked Pakistan to bring to justice perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack, which killed over 180 people, including six Americans.  

India and the US have maintained that terrorist leaders based in Pakistan were responsible for the strike.  

"We believe the government of Pakistan should continue its investigation, to ensure that all those who are responsible for the attack are in fact brought to justice," Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, Philip J Crowley told reporters at the State Department press briefing.  

"We continue to impress upon the government of Pakistan, the importance of bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice," he said in response to a query.  

Noting that the United States respects the rule of law in Pakistan, Crowley said: "We just want to make sure that Pakistan is in fact acting aggressively against extremist elements within its borders."  

About the military campaign currently being undertaken in the Swat Valley and adjoining regions, he said Pakistan is "in fact" taking aggressive action against the extremist elements in the country.

"We have been involved in an intensive, lengthy dialogue with Pakistan on its military priorities. We stand ready to help Pakistan in a wide range of ways, but we are I think satisfied that Pakistan has aggressively, you know, worked to deal with the extremist elements," he said.  

Referring to the ongoing army offensive against the Taliban in the Swat Valley, Crowley said the US recognises that the military action has created a significant impact on the ground and left about 2.5 million displaced persons.  

"We, along with other countries, are trying to make sure that we can help build capacity within the Pakistan government to be able to support its population during this difficult time," he said.