WASHINGTON, Dec 8: The United States said on Monday that Pakistan had taken “some positive steps” to help India probe the attacks in Mumbai, but added that more cooperation was needed to prevent any follow-on attacks.

Pakistan resident Asif Ali Zardari telephoned US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday to brief her on actions taken by Pakistan since her visit to Islamabad and Delhi last week, Rice’s spokesman Sean McCormack said.

Neither the White House nor the State Department commented directly on reports from Islamabad that Pakistan arrested a senior leader of the group suspected of being behind the Nov 26 Mumbai attacks.

But both generally welcomed Pakistan’s steps to cooperate.

“I think there is no doubt that Pakistan has taken some positive steps,” spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

“It’s critically important now ... that we continue to work together, the Indians, the Pakistanis, the United States and our allies to prevent follow-on attacks after the attacks in Mumbai,” she said.

Asked whether Washington had credible intelligence that such strikes were being planned, Ms Perino replied: “I wouldn’t say that. It’s always a concern once you have a terrorist attack that one of the things that you want to learn as quickly as possible is all the information you can get in order to prevent follow-on attacks. We know that’s how some of these terrorists plan.”

Mr McCormack said Pakistan appeared to be taking “some positive steps” when asked to comment on news reports that Pakistan had made a major arrest.

“I’ll let the Pakistani government describe in more detail what those are and what actions they are taking, but we’re seeing some positive steps taking place. “And we’re going to be following that situation very closely.”

He reiterated remarks by Ms Rice at the weekend that those behind the Mumbai attacks be brought to justice and that they be prevented from planning or taking part in any further attacks.

“What we don’t want to see are future attacks coming, emanating from Pakistani soil,” Mr McCormack said.

He said President Zardari called Ms Rice earlier on Monday. “He was letting her know that they were taking steps. They talked about ongoing (anti-terrorism) efforts in Pakistan.”—AFP