Pak shielding masterminds of Mumbai terror attacks: Chidambaram

A day after Pakistan admitted the role of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday accused Islamabad of protecting the masterminds behind the incident.

Addressing the media, Chidambaram said, "Lakhvi is one of the masterminds. There are others. We know their names and we think Pakistan also knows their names."

"If they do not bring others to trial then I would have to conclude reluctantly and regrettably that they are still dragging their feet," he added.

Pakistan had on Wednesday said that there is sufficient incriminating evidence against the seven arrested terrorists for their alleged involvement in the Mumbai terror strike. However, despite India's demands, no charges were filed against LeT chief Hafiz Saeed.

The Pakistani investigators had in a report submitted to an anti-terrorism court confirmed the statements made by Mohammad Ajmal Amir Qasab, the lone surviving gunman of 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.

The reports presented to the court conducting the trial of seven accused, including LeT operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi confirmed that there is sufficient evidence on record against all those involved in the 26/11 Mumbai terror strikes.

India had asked its counterpart to identify and take action against all those linked to the attacks. But Pakistan has backed out and not even mentioned the name of Hafiz Saeed in its report, while India wants Saeed to be prosecuted for his alleged involvement.

The FIA reports aired by Pakistan's Dawn News confirm that there are enough evidences to prosecute all the seven accused.

The 61-page report that was presented to the Rawalpindi anti-terror court in July 2009 contains the pictures of all those accused, including those who have been declared proclaimed offenders.