Pak yet to inform India about exact visit date for Mumbai terror attack probe

Islamabad, Jan 28 (ANI): Despite a lapse of about two weeks, Islamabad has not replied to the Indian government's letter about the Pakistani officials' exact date of visiting India to record their statements in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack probe.

According to the contents of the letter entitled 'Mumbai terror attacks case,' the Indian ministry of external affairs vide its note dated January 16, 2012, had conveyed that the judicial commission may visit Mumbai during the period between February 1 and 10, 2012, The Express Tribune reports.

The letter requested that the judicial commission's exact date of visit and details of travel itinerary be conveyed to enable authorities concerned to make necessary arrangements.

The Pakistani team comprises a member of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of the FIA, special public prosecutors of the FIA, a staffer of the Anti Terrorism Court Rawalpindi and the defence counsel of the accused.

All the expenditure incurred by the defence counsel including visa arrangements will be borne by the Government of Pakistan, an official of the interior ministry revealed.

The Indian authorities had sent the name of their judicial officer (JO) to work with Pakistani authorities during the last week of November 2011, for jointly interrogating the lone surviving terrorist behind the attack ,Ajmal Kasab, for the first time.

They would also record statements and evidence from prosecution witnesses residing in India.

Earlier this month, Indian officials had said the Pakistani commission investigating the Mumbai attack will visit in February, but won't be allowed to interrogate Kasab.

Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik had said earlier that the officials from Islamabad would like to speak with Kasab directly to verify his confession. (ANI)