Shocked, not surprised: Chidambaram on Pak

New Delhi: Hours after terrorists armed with automatic weapons opened fire at the convoy of the Sri Lankan cricket team as it headed for Lahore's Gaddafi stadium on Tuesday, India's Home Minister P Chidambaram called the attack a wake-up call for Pakistan.

The Minister said that Pakistan needs to now act on terrorists in its own interest.

Excerpts from the interview:

Rajdeep Sardesai: We appreciate you for joining us on CNN-IBN. You expressed shock after the incident in Pakistan of the attack on Sri Lankan cricketers, but are you surprised given that there were a series of terrorist attacks in Pakistan in the recent weeks?

P Chidambaram: I am shocked of course but not surprised because if you give room for terror and terrorist outfits, it is like riding a tiger that one day or other is bound to hit you when you least expect it.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Interestingly, the Punjab governor, in his first reaction in Pakistan, said that the group responsible for 26/11 is responsible for the attack in Lahore. How do you see that, Pakistan attempting to equate 26/11 attack in Mumbai with that in Lahore?

P Chidambaram: It is not the equation which is important. What is more significant is the implicit admission that the Pakistan territory, LeT, Pakistani handlers, controllers were behind the Mumbai attack and also behind the attack on the cricketers, which means Pakistan has not done enough to dismantle the terror infrastructure nor has it done enough to apprehend the handlers and controllers. That is worrying.

Rajdeep Sardesai: Are you surprised that in this attack too all the attackers so far have not been apprehended. Does that worry you?

P Chidambaram: It is too early to apprehend the attackers but it is worrying that Pakistan after prevaricating for several weeks and after finally admitting, is still in a position where it is forced to say that the same masterminds are operating on Pakistani soil. That is a very grave admission.