26/11 carried out by group based in Pak is a classic trans-border terrorist event. Mahmud Ali Durrani, Ex-NSA

Simran Sodhi & Ajay Banerjee

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, March 6

Pakistan’s former National Security Adviser (NSA) Mahmud Ali Durrani today said the 26/11 Mumbai attacks were carried out by a terror group based in Pakistan.Speaking at an event here, Durrani, however, denied the Pakistan government or the Inter-Services Intelligence played any role, calling it a “classic” example of cross-border terrorism. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)His admission of Pakistan’s involvement comes as no surprise as he had said the same thing in 2009 too. He was sacked from the NSA’s post for confirming to the media that Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist captured after the Mumbai attacks, was indeed a Pakistani national. Asked for his response to Durrani’s statement, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said, “India’s position is well known and consistent… There is nothing new for us.”Speaking at the same event, Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Afghanistan’s NSA, condemned Pakistan’s policy of “using one terrorist against another”. He said there was no good or bad terrorist. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar called for coordinated global action against terrorism. “Even though there is a broad consensus on what constitutes an act of terror, a formal agreement is missing,” he said.Since the Mumbai attacks in 2008, India and Pakistan have gone back and forth on the probe into the case. While Delhi has been demanding action against Lashkar chief Hafeez Saeed, Pakistan’s contention is that the proof provided against him was “inadequate”.Durrani’s statement, therefore, will be an added thread to the ongoing India-Pakistan narrative. After more than a year of chill in ties, India and Pakistan will meet for the Permanent Indus Commission talks in Lahore on March 20-21.