Israel's envoy in India says Pak suspects linked to al-Qa'ida

New Delhi, Dec.5 (ANI): Israel's Ambassador to India, Mark Sofer, has claimed that the Pakistan-based terrorists that masterminded last week's massacre in Mumbai may be linked to the al-Qa'ida international terror network.

The Independent quoted Ambassador Sofer as saying: "Is this small organization (Lashkar-e-Toiba), part of a much wider global jihadi group, such as al-Qa'ida? I fear the answer to that is yes."

Sofer, however, declined to speculate on whether India might carry out retaliatory strikes against militant camps inside Pakistan and noted that the Indian government had opted to raise diplomatic pressure on Pakistan to co-operate in the investigation.

"We were forced in the Middle East to move into other areas to counteract terrorist attacks. I think India will have to think very carefully," he added.

Sofer said that anti-Semitic attacks were unknown in India and suggested it was no coincidence that the attackers targeted the ultra-orthodox Jewish centre, which served as a hostel for Jewish backpackers and businessmen.

The New York Times yesterday quoted Indian police as saying that evidence had emerged to suggest that the six hostages at the Jewish centre had been tortured. Sofer has disputed these claims. (ANI)