Pak PM: Will probe Kabul Embassy blast

Under fire from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for Pakistan8217;s alleged involvement in the blast at the Indian embassy in Kabul...

Under fire from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for Pakistan8217;s alleged involvement in the blast at the Indian embassy in Kabul, Pakistan8217;s Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday agreed to conduct an 8220;independent investigation8221; into the incident.

Singh 8220;was relatively frank in expressing his concerns about recent incidents, which have had an impact on the relations and the prospects of the dialogue8221;, Foreign Secretary Shivshankar Menon said after the meeting between Singh and Gilani on the sidelines of the SAARC Summit. The meeting lasted 45 minutes, more than the scheduled 30-minutes.

While talking about the 8220;recent incidents8221;, Singh specifically told Gilani about the 8220;July 7 Kabul embassy attack regarding which there is evidence of the involvement of Pakistan8217;s ISI8221;. Singh also spoke about violation of ceasefire by Pakistani forces and increased infiltration across the LoC.

Apart from Indian intelligence agencies, US and UK intelligence agencies too have pointed out that Pakistan8217;s spy agency, the ISI, may be involved in the blast.

Assuring that he would 8220;look into the matter8221;, Gilani told Singh that he would 8220;get to the root of it8221;, Menon said.

Gilani also asked if India had any information that it could share with Pakistan with regard to the Kabul incident. Singh conveyed his concern over the issue to Gilani with a message that the incident, the ceasefire violations and the rising infiltration had created 8220;difficulties8221; in the relations.

Raising the issue in a 8220;very frank and candid8221; manner in his first meeting with Gilani, Singh said such concerns of India had to be addressed to allow the relations to come 8220;back on track8221;.

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In his speech Singh said: 8220;Terrorism continues to rear its ugly head in our region. It remains the single biggest threat to our stability and progress. We cannot afford to lose the battle against the ideologies of hatred, fanaticism and against all those who seek to destroy our social fabric.8221;

Recalling the embassy blast in Kabul and the Bangalore and Ahmedabad blasts, Singh said: 8220;They are gruesome reminders of the barbarity that still finds a place here in South Asia.8221; Gilani told Singh that he would meet Karzai on Sunday to discuss the Kabul attack.