India's home minister admitted an embarrassing mistake on Wednesday in a list of "most-wanted" fugitives thought to be hiding in Pakistan after a terror suspect was found living in Mumbai. India handed the list to Pakistan earlier this year but only made it public last week as it sought to ratchet up pressure on its neighbour in the wake of the death of Osama bin Laden, who was found living near Islamabad.
The list included the name of Wazhul Qamar Khan, who was wanted for his alleged role in the bombing of trains in Mumbai in 2003. But Khan has since been found in the outskirts of Mumbai, where he is out on bail after being arrested by local police over his apparent role in the blasts.
"We take responsibility. It was a mistake," Home Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters in the capital New Delhi, explaining that local Mumbai police had not informed federal authorities. "If it had been formally communicated to the CBI (federal police) I am sure they would have updated" the list, he said. "I am satisfied that this was a genuine oversight. but it's not a monumental mistake," he said. "There have been no calamitous consequences as some of you are trying to make out."
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