India raises concern about Pakistan

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NEW DELHI, May 3 (UPI) -- The killing of al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden underlines India's concern about terror groups finding sanctuary in Pakistan, the Indian home minister said.

Responding to the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. forces in his compound in Abbottabad, northeast of Islamabad, Indian Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said the United States had informed India that bin Laden was killed "deep inside Pakistan."

Chidambaram, whose ministry is handling the deadly Nov. 26, 2008, terror attacks in Mumbai, said the United States had "reason to seek Osama bin Laden and bring him and his accomplices to justice."

"We take note with grave concern that part of the statement in which (U.S.) President (Barack) Obama said that the fire fight in which Osama bin Laden was killed took place in Abbotabad 'deep inside Pakistan'. This fact underlines our concern that terrorists belonging to different organizations find sanctuary in Pakistan."

India maintains the Mumbai terror carnage, in which about 170 people including foreigners died, was planned and by terror groups based in Pakistan. Both neighboring nations are possess nuclear weapons and have fought three wars since Pakistan gained its independence in 1947.

"We believe that the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attack, including the controllers and handlers of the terrorists who actually carried out the attack, continue to be sheltered in Pakistan," Chidambaram said in his statement.

He urged Pakistan to arrest the persons "whose names have been handed over to the interior minister of Pakistan as well as provide voice samples of certain persons who are suspected to be among the controllers and handlers of the terrorists."

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said, "The international community and Pakistan in particular must work comprehensively to end the activities of all such groups who threaten civilized behavior and kill innocent men, women and children."