US suspects Pakistani intelligence of Indian embassy bombing

WASHINGTON - US intelligence agencies believe that Pakistani intelligence agents were involved in the July 7 bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul, the New York Times reported Friday, citing unnamed US government officials.

Although Pakistan has firmly denied The New York Times report, it is likely to create new tensions between Islamabad and Washington and also have a damaging effect on the Indo-Pakistan peace process.

The Times said the United States conclusions came from communications intercepted between the attackers and Pakistani intelligence officers, the Times reported. The intercepts were made before the Kabul attack but containing too few specifics to spark a particular warning, US officials reportedly told the newspaper.

The Times quoted an anonymous State Department official as calling the intercepts were "finally direct proof" of Pakistani intelligence involvement with Afghan militants. "It confirmed some suspicions that I think were widely held," the official was quoted as saying.

The newspaper said it was the clearest evidence to date that Pakistani intelligence officers were actively undermining U.S. efforts to combat militants in the region.