Malik calls Chidambaram, discusses Mumbai attack probe

ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik Wednesday telephoned Indian Home Minister P. Chidambaram and discussed his country’s proposal to send a commission to India to record the testimony of key officials in connection with the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack probe.

Malik informed his Indian counterpart that a court in Pakistan has said that, subject to the consent of Indian authorities, the commission may visit India to hear testimony from the magistrate who recorded the statement of Ajmal Amir Kasab and the investigating officer in the Mumbai attack case, Associated Press of Pakistan reported.

Chidambaram promised to look into this and to respond soon.

The commission also intends to study the autopsy reports of the victims of the terrorist strike, Malik said.

The interior ministry had already sent a request, as directed by the court here, to India through the ministry of foreign affairs.

The 60-hour audacious Mumbai attack that began on the night of Nov 26, 2008 and went on till the afternoon of Nov 29, 2008, killing 166 people, was carried out by 10 Pakistani terrorists, including Kasab.

Both the leaders expressed satisfaction on the present cooperation between Pakistan and India to assist each other on issues of mutual concern.

It was also agreed that the last dossier received from India on the Mumbai attack is being examined and Pakistan will soon respond.

Malik congratulated Chidambaram on the holding of the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi and wished him good luck.

He assured him of the Pakistani government’s commitment to help and assist India in safeguarding the Commonwealth Games and told him that any real time intelligence shared will be taken seriously and acted upon.