Rice seeks to defuse attack aftermath

NEW DELHI , Dec. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has urged India and Pakistan to show moderation in responding to last week's terrorist attacks in Mumbai.

Indian authorities say the gunmen who hit India's financial center, killing about 180 people, came from Pakistan. But Pakistan has blamed "non-state actors" for the attacks.

Rice spoke with leaders in India Wednesday before flying to Islamabad in an effort to calm tensions between the two countries.

She warned against any move that might result in "unintended consequences," adding any response needs "to be judged by its effectiveness in prevention."

After meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Rice said Pakistan understands the need to move "urgently and transparently" against extremists on its soil, CNN reported.

"I found a Pakistani government that's focused on the threat and understands its responsibility to respond to terrorism and extremism wherever it is found," Rice said. "There needs to be action urgently and transparently. And it's a message that has been well-received in Pakistan, because it's Pakistan's fight as well."

India has demanded Pakistan hand over a group of wanted terrorist suspects. Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee warned that India will consider all options "to protect its territorial integrity" if Pakistan refuses.

Upon arrival in New Delhi Wednesday, Rice expressed U.S. solidarity with India, saying, "We believe Pakistan has a central role to play in this, to make certain that these terrorists cannot continue to operate and operate in this fashion."