Pak navy chief retracts statement on Kasab

Pakistan's navy chief on Saturday retracted his statement -- that Ajmal Amir Kasab did not take the sea route -- and said he backed the Interior Ministry's report that nine terrorists had sailed from Karachi to launch the strikes.

Admiral Noman Bashir, who had on Friday contended that the navy had no evidence to prove that Kasab took the sea route, said he was not contradicting the Interior Ministry's report on the Mumbai attacks.

"We have not been directly involved in the investigation, which is under the domain of the Interior Ministry. Therefore, they are better equipped, they have better knowledge and information," he said.

Interior Ministry chief Rehman Malik had admitted on February 12, when Pakistan gave its response to the Indian dossier, that the Mumbai attacks were 'partly' plotted on the Pakistan soil and launched from its shores, for which it has arrested six persons.

Malik had said nine terrorists had traveled in three boats from Karachi to Mumbai. "We have no contradictory opinion on the report prepared by them. Whatever evidence they have is correct. I won't contradict it," Admiral Bashir said.

"I had said that as Pakistan navy chief I do not have any evidence. This does not imply that the Ministry of Interior (also) has no evidence," the navy chief said.

Admiral Bashir's remarks were rebuffed by India. Asked about Bashir's contention, Home Minister P Chidambaram said on Friday, "I am sure somebody will deny it tomorrow. This is part of prevarications".