Pakistan vows to hunt Mumbai attack plotters

By Sue Pleming and Robert Birsel

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Thursday Pakistan had given assurances of its commitment to root out terrorism and round up anyone connected to last week's attack in the Indian city of Mumbai.

Rice, on a trip aimed at curbing tension between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan, said the Mumbai attack showed a level of sophistication unseen in the region and urgent action was needed to get the perpetrators and prevent more attacks.

But she played down fear of a military response by India, saying the global struggle against terrorism needed cooperation.

India and U.S. officials have blamed groups based on Pakistani territory for the attack, but no accusations have been leveled at the Pakistani state or its agencies.

Pakistan has condemned the assault, denied any involvement by state agencies and vowed to help the Indian investigation, but it wants proof of Pakistani involvement.

In a delicate balancing act, Rice met Indian leaders on Wednesday in New Delhi, where she called for restraint. Rice said she had reasonable and responsible discussions in both capitals.

The assault on India's commercial capital killed 171 people, including six Americans.

"This was a terrible attack. It was a sophisticated attack, a level of sophistication that we haven't seen here on the subcontinent before," Rice told a news conference at a military airfield before departing.

"That means that there is urgency to getting to the bottom of it. There is urgency to bringing the perpetrators to justice and there is urgency to ... disrupt and prevent further attacks."

PRIME SUSPECT

Her talks in Islamabad included the importance of Pakistan dealing with anyone who may use its territory for attacks, even if they were "non-state actors", she said, adding everyone wanted to prevent more attacks.

"Pakistan, the Pakistani leadership, understands the importance of doing that, particularly in rooting out terrorism and rounding up whoever perpetrated this attack," she said.

President Asif Ali Zardari, who had been trying to push forward a peace process with India, told Rice he had asked India to see this as a chance to work together rather than be at odds, saying: "I intend to do everything in my power".

"The government will not only assist in investigations but also take strong action against any Pakistani elements found involved in the attack," a statement quoted Zardari as saying.

"Pakistan is determined to ensure that its territory is not used for any act of terrorism," he said.