India shares Kabul blast evidence with Pakistan

New Delhi shared the proof as delegations from both sides met for the Joint Anti-Terror Mechanism (JATM) meet on Friday.

The Indian delegation was led by MEA’s Special Secretary (Internal organisations) Vivek Katju and the Pakistan delegation was headed by Pakistan Foreign Ministry’s Additional Secretary (South Asia) Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.

The visiting delegation insisted said that “no agency from Pakistan” was involved in the bombing, and this, according the assessment of the Indian diplomatic establishment, is an admission of the possibility of terrorist elements outside Pakistan agencies.

Sources said the Pakistani delegation said they will look into the evidence provided to them.

New Delhi had gathered intelligence inputs from the US intelligence agencies, which had established the involvement of the ISI in the attack. The technical analysis of the NATO had found that the bombs used in the blast bore the markings of Pakistan Ordnance Factory in Wah. This was first reported by The Indian Express. Later, some intercepts, which talked about an attack on the embassy, were also passed on to the Indian authorities by the US and French intelligence agencies.

Bombing on the Indian Embassy in Kabul in July this year had claimed lives of four people, including an IFS official and a Brigadier-rank Defence Attache posted at the Embassy.

During Friday’s meet, New Delhi not only put across its point by sharing information on the attack, but is also believed to have raised the matter regarding the previous incidents of terrorism in India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official statement: “Information on issues of mutual concern, including the bombing of the Indian Embassy in Kabul, was exchanged.

The meeting was held in a positive, constructive and forward looking atmosphere.”

This special meeting of the Joint Anti-Terrorism Mechanism was held after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pressed for it during his conversation with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari in New York last month.