US Attorney General assures India of help in 26/11 probe

Wth India seeking extradition of David Headley and Tahawwur Hussein Rana, the US has assured it of all possible help in bringing to book culprits of the 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The assurance was given to Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao by US Attorney General Eric Holder in a meeting on Tuesday.

Rao met Holder and underlined the importance of cooperation in the investigation of the Mumbai terror attacks, in which India has sought extradition of the two accused who are currently lodged in a US prison.

"Attorney General Holder assured all possible assistance as provided within the framework of US law in this regard and underscored the importance the US attached to counter terrorism cooperation with India," Indian Embassy spokesman, Virander Paul, said.

"Underscoring the crucial importance of cooperation in the investigation of the Mumbai terror attacks, Ambassador Rao expressed the hope that a few important aspects of the request for assistance in this regard would be fulfilled soon," Paul added.

An Indian court last week ordered the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to produce Headley and Rana?- the two 26/11 accused lodged in a Chicago jail? before it on March 13.

Headley, who conducted surveillance operations in Mumbai for LeT targets, entered a plea bargain with the US authorities under which he would not be extradited to a third country.

Holder and Rao also discussed the growing India-US cooperation in diverse fields including counter-terrorism and mutual legal assistance in crime-related matters.