Canada offers help in Mumbai terror probe

TORONTO: Canada has offered assistance in Mumbai attack investigations and urged India to share intelligence about Pakistan-based al-Qaeda insurgents that pose a threat to Canadian Forces troops in Afghanistan.

"We'd like to offer Canadian assistance in Mumbai attack investigation and wanted to know the extent of India's intelligence about Taliban and al-Qaeda activities inside
Pakistan," Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay said on Friday when Nalin Surie, secretary in the ministry of external affairs, called on him in Ottawa to brief him on the
recent terror attacks on Mumbai that left 179 dead, and of Pakistan's possible involvement.

He assured the Minister that the government would consider Canada's offer assistance, S M Gavai, the High Commissioner of India said.
    
"They [India] are clearly concerned that their own country is vulnerable. We have Canadians on the ground in Afghanistan that have encountered a very determined
insurgency," MacKay added.

Afghanistan has been subjected to a record year of violence from Taliban and al-Qaeda forces that have found sanctuary inside Pakistan.
    
MacKay said India is well-placed to offer information because of its "proximity to Pakistan, which we know is still very much the home of much of the insurgency inside
Afghanistan, and a place, where al-Qaeda is making their mark."