US expects Pak to take tougher approach towards Lashkar

Washington, Dec.11 (ANI): The White House has said that it hoped Pakistan would 'shift' to a tougher approach towards the Lashkar-e-Toiba, the group considered the prime suspect in perpetrating last month's terror attacks in Mumbai.

"What we are looking is to see if there's going to be a shift in Pakistan as to how they deal with LeT. If it proves out, over time, that there is that shift, then that would be a good one, and something that we would welcome, but it's just too early for us to say," the Dawn quoted White House spokesperson Dan Perino, as saying.

Perino's comments came after Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said law enforcement and army authorities had arrested two senior members of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Gilani said that Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah - both named by Indian media as suspected planners of the attacks in Mumbai - were under detention

"What we have seen are preliminary reports out of region. We are following those reports very closely. I couldn't tell you definitely that all that's been reported is accurate," said Perino.

"We continue to urge the Pakistanis and Indians to work together to get to the bottom of who was responsible for these attacks - and most importantly to try to prevent follow-on attacks," she added.

Perino said the United States would welcome any action taken by Pakistan against the LeT.

Responding to a question The News quoted her as saying: "I cannot comment on the news coming from Pakistan regarding its actions against the Toiba. However, the US yearns Pakistan and India to co-operate each other to bring the responsible for Mumbai attacks to justice." (ANI)