Pakistan Admits Terror Link

After much denial, a higher-up in the Pakistani government has admitted that the Mumbai attacks in November were planned in Pakistan. The admission may mark an easing of tension between the two constantly feuding countries, as the Pakistani official revealed that six suspects belonging to a militant group called Lashkar-e-Taiba are now in custody. Since the sophisticated attacks, which killed 173 people, the Indian government has accused Pakistan of not pursuing those responsible. Pakistan's new statement is seen "as a major turn-around" that has caused "genuine surprise" in India, BBC News reports. The news is also significant because it represents a rare occasion in which the Pakistani government has acknowledged its inability to stop home-grown terrorist networks from hatching schemes in neighboring countries.