In a comprehensive response to Pakistan’s queries on the Mumbai terror attack, India today handed over voluminous information to Islamabad, which addresses most of the 30 points raised by it but does not include the confessional statement of captured terrorist Ajmal Amir Kasab for legal reasons.

The detailed response, running into 401 pages, was given to Pakistan’s High Commissioner Shahid Malik by Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon. Sources said the response contained 21 sets of annexure, including video footage of the CCTV cameras installed at Taj and Oberoi hotels, colour photographs and DNA reports of all the ten attackers, and transcripts of their telephonic conversations with their handlers in Pakistan.

A copy of Kasab’s confessional statement made before a magistrate, which formed the first of the 30-point list sent by Pakistan on February 12, could not be given at this point of time because the government does not have the court permission to do so. The government is likely to ask the court for permission when his case comes up next, sources said.

Home Minister P Chidambaram, who earlier in the day handed over the document containing India’s response to Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee, however, told reporters that each of Pakistan’s queries had been adequately addressed.

“We have put together answers to 30 questions submitted by Pakistan. It is a very comprehensive document, answering each of the 30 questions... We expect Pakistan to take investigations forward quickly, apprehend all the culprits and either hand them over to India for prosecution and punishment or prosecute them and punish them in Pakistan,” Chidambaram said.

... contd.