Denial after denial later and barely weeks after it sacked its National Security Advisor for saying that the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks could be from Pakistan, Islamabad took the first step today towards admitting the facts. Under intense international pressure for a response to the Indian dossier, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry acknowledged that the 26/11 terror attacks, that killed over 180 people, were launched from Pak shores and at least partly plotted on its soil.

Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik told a news conference that criminal cases had been opened against nine suspects on charges of “abetting, conspiracy and facilitation” of a terrorist act. He said six of them were already in custody, including Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah, Lashkar-e-Toiba leaders named by India as the masterminds of the attack, and a person who sent an e-mail claiming responsibility for the attacks. Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone Pakistani terrorist captured in the Mumbai attacks, is one of those named in the FIR. Pakistan wants his confessional statement made during his interrogation in Mumbai, Malik said.

“Some part of the conspiracy has taken place in Pakistan,” said Malik, detailing how the gunmen had sailed from Karachi to carry out the attack. He said the findings were shared with Indian High Commissioner Satyabrata Pal and more evidence would be needed from India to secure convictions. One suspect, he said, was allegedly involved in the Samjhauta Express attack and more information was being sought from India.

In New Delhi, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who discussed the Pakistani response with colleagues P Chidambaram and A K Antony, said India was examining the report. “Pakistani authorities have admitted that elements in Pakistan were responsible for terror attacks in Mumbai,” he said, noting that Islamabad has taken “some steps” and some persons have been arrested. “This is a positive step. They have also asked for more material. We are examining it. After examination, we will share whatever we can.” He will make a detailed statement in Parliament tomorrow.

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