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January 5, 2009 - 0:0

India says all options open to dismantle terror groups

@T= NEW DELHI (Reuters) - India said on Wednesday it would keep all options open to dismantle ""terror outfits"" after the Mumbai attacks, raising the rhetoric against its neighbor after New Delhi released evidence blaming Pakistan militants.
Pakistani media reported the surviving gunman from the attack is Pakistani, in what may be interpreted as a concession by Islamabad, as tension grew between two nuclear-armed rivals that have fought three wars since 1947.
""I say we are keeping all options open,"" Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Times Now television. Only hours earlier Defense Minister A.K. Antony had made similar comments.
The latest statements come as Indian officials show increasing frustration at what they see as Pakistan's unwillingness to fully investigate the attacks in November by 10 gunmen that killed 179 people.
The Hindu newspaper published details from India's dossier of evidence on Wednesday, including what it said were transcripts of conversations between handlers and the gunmen during the attack.
""Everything is being recorded by the media. Inflict the maximum damage. Keep fighting. Don't be taken alive,"" one handler, identified as Kafa, told a gunman, the newspaper said.
""Kill all hostages, except the two Muslims. Keep your phone switched on so that we can hear the gunfire,"" a caller said.
The dossier has also been sent to countries whose citizens were victims of the attacks, such as the United States, as India tried to corner Pakistan diplomatically into bringing the perpetrators to justice.
David Mulford, the U.S. Ambassador to India, said on Wednesday the evidence India had provided was ""credible.""
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh stepped up a war of words on Tuesday, saying for the first time the assault ""must have had the support of some official agencies in Pakistan.""
Singh may be playing to a domestic audience before general elections this year. The Samajwadi Party, a key Indian government coalition partner, reportedly threatened to withdraw its support because of what it said was India's soft stance on Pakistan.
Pakistan has denied any involvement by state agencies and rejected Singh's accusation, saying India was ratcheting up tension and risked destroying all prospects of a serious and objective investigation.
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said Pakistan had made constructive proposals for cooperation and initiated its own investigation but India was unnecessarily whipping up tension.
""Our own investigations into Mumbai have progressed,"" Gilani said. ""We are prepared to take this process forward with a view to uncovering full facts thus ensuring that the perpetrators of this heinous crime whosoever they may be are brought to justice.""