Saturday, January 3, 2009

Indian PM asks Pakistan to hand over terror suspects



SHILLONG, India (AFP) – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Saturday he hoped Pakistan would show "better sense" and move against the groups India blames for last year's Mumbai attacks.

"War is no solution to solve the problems and we want better sense to prevail on Pakistan," Singh told reporters in the northeastern town of Shillong.

Pakistan should hand over "criminals" responsible for the deadly assault in which 172 people, including nine gunmen, were killed in November.

"The (Indian) government will go to any extent to root out terrorism from the country," Singh said.

The premier also called upon the new government in neighbouring Bangladesh to cooperate in cracking down on anti-India militants based on its soil.

Former Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina Wajed, who won the country's new election last week in a landslide, has already said she will not allow her country to be used as a base for militants.

"I hope the new prime minister-elect Sheikh Hasina would take appropriate measures not to allow their territory to be used by militants," Singh said.

"The porous border that India shares with Bangladesh is a matter of concern for us as infiltration and cross-border terrorism does take place."

India says militants in its restive northeastern states are supported by militants from Bangladesh.

This week, six people were killed and another 50 injured in three bomb explosions in northeastern Assam state.

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