India points finger of blame at Pakistan

By C.J. Kuncheria and Robert Birsel

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - India pointed a finger on Friday at Pakistani-linked "elements" for the attacks in Mumbai, raising the prospect of a breakdown in the nuclear-armed rivals' peace efforts.

An estimated 25 men armed with assault rifles and grenades, at least some of whom arrived by sea, fanned out across Mumbai on Wednesday night to attack sites popular with tourists and businessmen, including the city's top two luxury hotels.

Police said at least 121 people were killed.

The attack came after Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, widower of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto who was assassinated last year, had made bold moves to improve ties with India.

In an unprecedented move, India said on Friday the head of the Pakistani military's Inter Services Intelligence agency (ISI) had agreed to go to India to share information about the attacks, at the request of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

On Thursday, Singh pinned blame on militant groups based in India's neighbours, usually an allusion to old rival Pakistan.

Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee was more explicit on Friday. "Preliminary evidence, prima facie evidence, indicates elements with links to Pakistan are involved," Mukherjee told a news conference in New Delhi.

He urged Pakistan to dismantle the infrastructure that supports militants.