By IANS,
Dhaka : Dhaka has strongly condemned a Pakistani investigation agency’s claim of a Bangladesh-based terror outfit’s involvement in the Mumbai terror attacks.
“Militants and terrorists do not belong to any territory, country and nation. I am shocked at such a claim,” The Daily Star Saturday quoted Home Minister Sahara Khatun as saying.
“We need your cooperation and suggestion. I can promise that I would try to root out terrorism, militancy and extortion even if I have to put my life on the line if you cooperate with us,” the minister said at a college sports gathering.
According to media reports from Islamabad, the Federal Investigation Agency has, in its report on the Nov 26-29, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, alleged that they were planned by the Bangladesh-based Harkat-ul-Jihad Islami (HuJI).
The claim has been rubbished by Indian intelligence agencies and security analysts say that Pakistan is trying to divert attention from its own role and responsibility in the Mumbai attacks. Some 170 people were slaughtered in the mayhem when 10 terrorists who India says were Pakistanis sneaked into the city by sea and went on a killing spree.
Pakistan’s claims have come even as India and Bangladesh prepare to discuss Dhaka’s proposal for a regional task force on terrorism when Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee visits here next Monday.