India concerned about Pakistan support for militants

By Krittivas Mukherjee

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India's defense minister said Monday he was seriously concerned about support for militants from Pakistan after a string of bomb attacks in the nation's capital killed 22 people at the weekend.

A.K. Antony's remarks came as police said they were closing in on several Muslim bombing suspects. At least five bombs exploded in quick succession in crowded markets and streets of New Delhi Saturday night, wounding nearly 100 people.

India, which used to blame Pakistan for violent attacks in the country, including in the disputed region of Kashmir, has in recent months become more cautious about making these allegations. Some of the violence may have been perpetrated by home-grown groups, it has said.

But Antony reiterated long-standing concerns on Monday.

"Militants are getting support from across the border and it is a matter of serious concern," Antony said when reporters asked him if he thought militants were still sneaking in from Pakistan.

Islamabad has repeatedly rejected Indian allegations.

A group calling itself the Indian Mujahideen sent an e-mail to television stations shortly after the first explosion saying it was responsible.

Police said Monday they had identified Abdul Subhan Qureshi, a convent-educated computer expert and member of a banned Islamic students' group, as the chief suspect in the New Delhi attack.

They said he was also involved in bombing the western city of Ahmedabad in July.

They are also looking for a man they named as Qayamuddin, also known as Ashfaque.

"We are close to cracking the case," Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat said. "We have picked up some people."

In Washington, the White House condemned the attacks and offered support to the Indian government, a key regional ally.

"We obviously stand with the Indians in trying to fight against terrorism and extremists and we would help them in any way that we can to fight back against them," White House spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters.

Anger has mounted over the failure of the government to prevent attacks. More than 150 people have been killed after bombings in four major cities in recent months.

In each case, suspects were named and Muslims were rounded up, but the attacks continue.