US backs Pak, wants joint India-Pak probe in 26/11

New Delhi: United States of America has indicated that it favours a joint investigation by India and Pakistan into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks

The Bush Administration said that a joint investigation was necessary since both countries have some information to share on the terror front.

"Now of course, tensions need to be managed, and thus far, it would seem that the two sides have an interest in doing that. Richard Boucher (Assistant Secretary of State for Central and South Asia), who is travelling in the region, I thought put it very well in saying that each side, in terms of you know, putting together the full picture here, has pieces of the puzzle that the other doesn't. So it’s in their interest to act together," US State Department Spokesperson Sean McCormak said on Tuesday.

'It's in their interest to work together, to exchange information, to get the full picture, and to be able to act to prevent attacks as well as to bring to justice those responsible for the attacks in Mumbai," McCormack said.

McCormack said that both India and Pakistan were facing a common enemy in terror.

"Common enemy here are the violent extremists. The greatest threat isn't from each other, whether that be India or Pakistan. It's from the violent extremists," he said.

When his attention was drawn to the reported statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh suggesting that those who were responsible for the Mumbai attacks were supported by official agencies in Pakistan, McCormack said, "Well, we've talked about the origins of the attack coming from Pakistani soil."

Meanwhile, India is saying Pakistan can make a beginning by accepting the terrorists came from that country. MEA sources have also told CNN-IBN that trade sanctions could follow soon if Pakistan does not cooperate.

"Pakistan must first accept the evidence that India has given them and admit that all 10 perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks are Pakistani. Only then can they make any demands. Pakistan is further inviting international ridicule with this irresponsible statement. The international community, those who have seen the evidence know where the terrorists are from and which state. It is mandated by international law that Pakistan act now," Minister of State for Home, Anand Sharma stated.