Washington, Dec. 8 : US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has said that Pakistan must take action against militants on its territory who may be linked to the Mumbai attacks, and added the argument that the Mumbai attackers were non-state actors is unacceptable.

She told ABC, “I did say to the Pakistanis that the argument that these are non-state actors is not acceptable. Non-state actors in your territory are still your responsibility.”

She said, “This is a time when Pakistan must act. They must act in concert with India, with the United States. Great Britain is helping.”

She added that Pakistan has expressed “a good, strong commitment” to take action, “but now we have to see follow-through.”

Asked if she had asked Pakistan to arrest a former ISI chief Hamid Gul, Rice said she didn’t “want to get too detailed about this.”

“This is counter-terrorism work, and, obviously, I don’t want to tip their hand or ours,” she said.

Rice also said that she had brought up the deaths of American citizens killed in Mumbai, adding, “It is a matter for our relationship. It is a very serious matter that Americans were killed in that attack. When something like this happens, the United States expects Pakistan to act.”

She said she had tried to focus India’s attention on “an effective response,” adding, “They (India and Pakistan) are really not each other’s primary threat. We don’t need something that will set off unintentional consequences.”

Asked if Pakistan should hand over the 20 people India wants, the Daily Times quoted her as saying :“I think the important thing is that Pakistan act and that these people are brought to justice.” (ANI)