Pakistan was reluctant to accept the claims, but acknowledged in February that Kasab was a Pakistani. The same month, Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik announced the arrests of six men linked to Kasab and pledged to put them on trial. Attorney General Sardar Latif Khosa said late Wednesday the trials will start "soon," but was unable to say when. "There are no reasons (for a delay) other than the fulfillment of some legal requirements and resolution of technical issues before the start of the trials," Khosa said.

Officials said the men will be tried behind closed doors in the maximum security prison where they are currently being held in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

India has handed over evidence, including recordings of calls the attackers allegedly made to Pakistan during the siege. Two of the defendants, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Zarrar Shah, have been publicly accused by India of masterminding the attacks. Malik has said they will be charged with "abetting, conspiracy and facilitation" of a terrorist act.

The men have been appointed lawyers, but they have yet to start preparing their defense. "I have applied to get the copy of the charges submitted by the police, but am still awaiting," said Shahzad Rajput, who is representing one of the men. "In fact, there is no evidence against my client. That is why the government is not showing any enthusiasm in this matter. I would say it is using delaying tactics." India is pressing ahead with its trial of Kasab, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges against him, which includes waging war against the country and murder. Kasab, said to be in his early 20s, will face the death penalty if convicted. Lashkar-e-Taiba was formed in the 1980s with the blessing of Pakistan's intelligence services, and the group has a long and bloody history of guerrilla warfare and bombings aimed at Indian rule in Kashmir, which is claimed by both Pakistan and India.

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