NSG flip-flop on Mumbai's Al Qaeda link

J.K Dutt, chief of the National Security Guard, blamed the Mumbai terror attack on Al Qaeda, Taliban and Lashker-e-Taiba. But the NSG later said Dutt had been "misquoted".

J.K Dutt, chief of the National Security Guard (NSG), on Wednesday blamed the Mumbai terror attack on Al Qaeda, Taliban and Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT). But the NSG later said Dutt had been "misquoted".

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"There is growing concern over the convergence of the objectives of terrorist organisations such as the Al Qaeda and LeT," Dutt said in his inaugural speech at an international seminar organised by the National Bomb Data Centre in Gurgaon near here.

"The Mumbai terror attack of Nov 26 last year represents this convergence of interests," he said.

Ten terrorists who India says were Pakistanis sneaked into Mumbai Nov 26 and went on a killing spree, slaughtering some 170 Indians and foreigners. One of the terrorists, who Pakistan now admits was its national, has been caught.

"The Mumbai terror attack was an audacious attempt by the Taliban, Al Qaeda and LeT combine to shape policies of three sovereign nations that include the oldest and the largest democracy," Dutt told the seminar.

Hours after Dutt's comments were televised, the Indian government sought to deny that he made the remarks.

NSG spokesman and group commander (intelligence) Shikha Gupta said in a statement: "Dutt has been misquoted and his remarks were distorted by news channels.

"It is up to the investigating agency to decide who has attacked Mumbai. NSG is not an investigating agency."