Why won't Pak admit 26/11 Involvement?

Pakistan on Tuesday said the statement made to a Magistrate by Ajmal Amir Kasab, the lone terrorist captured for the Mumbai terror attacks, is crucial for the successful prosecution of suspects detained by it in connection with the incident.

"The statement of Ajmal Kasab is absolutely important for successful prosecution (of suspects arrested by Pakistan)," Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik told reporters in the southwestern city of Quetta.

India and Pakistan must stop "blame games" and New Delhi should provide the additional information on the Mumbai attacks that has been sought by Islamabad, he added.

Pakistan yesterday formally asked India to provide additional information and clarifications to enable its authorities to "proceed further" in their probe into the terrorist assault that killed over 180 people.

Malik said the information which Pakistan had sought from India included Kasab's statement to a Magistrate, details of mobile SIM cards used by the terrorists and slain anti-terror police officer Hemant Karkare's statement on his probe into the bombing of the Samjhauta Express.

Malik contended that Karkare's statement was needed as Pakistan had information that a terrorist involved in the attack on the Samjhauta Express was also involved in the Mumbai incident. He did not give details.

"We have given sufficient evidence to Pakistan to act against identified masterminds. By delaying action and raising technicalities, Pakistan would be undermining the credibility of its own commitments to take tangible action," minister of state for external affairs Anand Sharma said.

"We are waiting for tangible actions by Pakistan and not excuses," he said.