The United States has said Pakistan has a responsibility to act against the perpetrators of the Mumbai terror attacks as there was "no doubt that its territory was used" by non-state actors.
"I think there is no doubt that Pakistani territory was used by probably non-state actors. I don't think that there is compelling evidence of involvement of Pakistani officials. But I do think that Pakistan has a responsibility to act. And it doesn't matter that they're non-state actors," Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said.
Her comment came in the backdrop of India's claim that Pakistan-based militant group -- Lashkar-e-Toiba -- was involved in the Mumbai carnage.
"Pakistan needs to act. India and Pakistan need to cooperate. And I do believe that if that is done, they can bring the perpetrators to justice. But they can also prevent a follow-on attack, which has to be a concern," Rice said on CNN's Late Edition last night.
In regard to militant outfits using Pakistani soil to carry out terrorist activities, she said, "There were problems with this from Pakistani territory. There are historical problems with Pakistani territory in this regard."
Asked about the relationship between the militant group and the Pakistani government, the intelligence agency or the military services, she said, "there have been historic ties. There is no doubt about that. But Pakistan is a different place now with a civilian government and an army leadership that is working in concert to bring an end to extremism within Pakistan."
