Angry India admits security lapses in Mumbai attacks

By C. Bryson Hull

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Indian government said on Friday the militant attacks on Mumbai had uncovered lapses in security and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said the strike originated on a neighbour's soil, a clear reference to Pakistan.

The ruling Congress party-led coalition is under renewed criticism from the opposition that it is weak on security after the three-day rampage by 10 Islamist gunmen in India's financial capital last week capped a series of bomb blasts this year.

"I would be less than truthful if I said there were no lapses," new Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram told reporters in Mumbai. "These are being looked into. We will address the causes that led to the lapses."

Chidambaram took the post on Sunday after his predecessor quit amid public fury at the government's failure to prevent the attacks. Elections are due by May and analysts say Singh must demonstrate decisive action to counter criticism over security.

Singh, speaking at a media conference, said the territory of a neighbouring country has been used for the crime.

Pakistan has condemned the assault, denied state involvement and promised to help the Indian probe. But it wants to see proof first.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said on Friday the Mumbai attackers must not be allowed to derail the peace process between India and Pakistan. He reiterated Islamabad's offer to work with India to find out who was behind the "ghastly acts of terrorism".

"We should not allow them to succeed in their nefarious designs," he said in a speech to European ambassadors.