As India sombrely marked the 13th anniversary of the horrific 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks on Friday, New Delhi said Pakistan has shown little sincerity in bringing the perpetrators to justice and called on Islamabad to give up double standards and to expeditiously bring those behind the terror attack to justice.  

“This is not just a matter of Pakistan’s accountability to the families of the innocent victims who fell to terrorists, but also an international obligation,” said an official statement.

A senior diplomat from the Pakistan High Commission was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and handed a Note Verbale reiterating India’s call for expeditious trial in the terror attacks case. The Note Verbale also called on the Government of Pakistan to abide by its commitment to not allow territories under its control for terrorism against India.

“It is a matter of deep anguish that even after 13 years of this heinous terror attack, the families of 166 victims from 15 countries across the globe still await closure, with Pakistan showing little sincerity in bringing the perpetrators to justice.”

“The 26/11 terrorist attack was planned, executed and launched from Pakistani territory. The former Prime Minister of Pakistan had gone on record and admitted that the terrorists were sent from Pakistan’s soil,” said the statement.

“We once again call on the Government of Pakistan to give up double standards and to expeditiously bring the perpetrators of the horrific attack to justice. This is not just a matter of Pakistan’s accountability to the families of the innocent victims who fell to terrorists, but also an international obligation,” it said.

Fourteen other countries lost their nationals in these attacks. Indian missions in these countries are organizing memorial events remembering the victims, both national and foreign, reminding the world of the continuing global threat of terrorism.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, tweeting a photo of the burning Taj Palace hotel in Mumbai during the attack, wrote: “Never forget”.

The MEA spokesperson in a tweet encapsulating events related to the horrific attack, wrote:

“26/11- A day etched in our collective memory

“The world stands united in remembering the victims and seeking justice.” (SAM)