LeT threat looms for India

NEW DELHI, July 16 (UPI) -- U.N. officials warn Lashkar-e-Toiba poses a substantial risk to the national security interests of India as New Delhi and Pakistan tackle terrorist threats.

The prime ministers of Pakistan and India met Thursday on the sidelines of a meeting for the Non-Aligned Movement in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, with Islamabad pledging to work to bring the perpetrators of the November attacks in Mumbai to justice.

LeT and its affiliate Jaish-e-Mohammed attacked the Indian Parliament on Dec. 13, 2001, killing dozens in the raid. Rebels believed to be with the Pakistani-based LeT seized several high-profile buildings in Mumbai in November 2008, killing at least 188 people.

The Sharm el-Sheik agreement comes as U.N. officials issue stark warnings about the "real risk" of LeT attacks on India, reports the Times of India.

"Lashkar-e-Toiba tactics is quite obvious," says Richard Barrett, a U.N. coordinator on al-Qaida and Taliban activity. "It is trying to increase tensions between India and Pakistan at a time when they and their associates are particularly under pressure in western Pakistan."

Indian special prosecutors have called on the courts to issue arrest warrants for 27 of the 35 men implicated in the November 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, saying the warrants would allow Interpol to intervene.