Exactly a week after terror attacks singed India’s commercial capital, Mumbai, US Attorney General Michael Mukasey said FBI agents are working with Indian police to provide assistance and gather evidence on the audacious attack, but refused to comment on similar operations in Pakistan.
Pleading ignorance of the nature of the demands from New Delhi, he said "the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) is looking into any evidence it can get," Mukasey was quoted as saying, by IANS, during a meeting with reporters at the Justice Department office.
Asked if the US agency was also working with the Pakistani government on the Mumbai attacks, he said: "I can't comment on that."
Mukasey further refused comment on whether Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terrorist group that is prime suspect, was planning attacks on Indian allies or outside of India.
Asked if the US had any intelligence or any further indications on the attack that killed over 180 and injured nearly 300, Mukasey said: "I can't comment on that."
Mukasey underlined the need to get the best intelligence possible about where attacks might occur and to heighten security appropriately. "It's obviously a horrible incident, a horrific incident, nothing we ever want to see happen here."
"And to the extent it's an object lesson, it's an object lesson in maintaining vigilance and in the need for surveillance, electronic surveillance and other kinds of surveillance and the need for protection," he admitted.
Declining to comment on the performance of Indian authorities, Mukasey said: "As far as the performance of the Indian authorities, I'm not in a position to comment on that."
"I'm confident that the people who respond to events like this in the United States are well trained, well disciplined and well able to respond fully," he said.
But "It's impossible to fully protect every target. Total security is an impossibility," he added.
Mukasey said he believes the US has jurisdiction in cases of violence against Americans in connection with acts of terrorism. Six Americans were killed in the attacks at two luxury hotels and other landmarks.
Mukasey said he did not yet have enough details to say whether any charges eventually would be brought in the US.
"I don't yet have that level of detail and I don't think I could share it if I had it. I know, I mean, I can confirm finally that the FBI is over there, that they're working with the Indian police on gathering evidence."
Pleading ignorance of the nature of the demands from New Delhi, he said "the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) is looking into any evidence it can get," Mukasey was quoted as saying, by IANS, during a meeting with reporters at the Justice Department office.
Asked if the US agency was also working with the Pakistani government on the Mumbai attacks, he said: "I can't comment on that."
Mukasey further refused comment on whether Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terrorist group that is prime suspect, was planning attacks on Indian allies or outside of India.
Asked if the US had any intelligence or any further indications on the attack that killed over 180 and injured nearly 300, Mukasey said: "I can't comment on that."
Mukasey underlined the need to get the best intelligence possible about where attacks might occur and to heighten security appropriately. "It's obviously a horrible incident, a horrific incident, nothing we ever want to see happen here."
"And to the extent it's an object lesson, it's an object lesson in maintaining vigilance and in the need for surveillance, electronic surveillance and other kinds of surveillance and the need for protection," he admitted.
Declining to comment on the performance of Indian authorities, Mukasey said: "As far as the performance of the Indian authorities, I'm not in a position to comment on that."
"I'm confident that the people who respond to events like this in the United States are well trained, well disciplined and well able to respond fully," he said.
But "It's impossible to fully protect every target. Total security is an impossibility," he added.
Mukasey said he believes the US has jurisdiction in cases of violence against Americans in connection with acts of terrorism. Six Americans were killed in the attacks at two luxury hotels and other landmarks.
Mukasey said he did not yet have enough details to say whether any charges eventually would be brought in the US.
"I don't yet have that level of detail and I don't think I could share it if I had it. I know, I mean, I can confirm finally that the FBI is over there, that they're working with the Indian police on gathering evidence."
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