Justice for 26/11 still a top priority: Hillary Clinton

WASHINGTON: The US today said bringing to justice the perpetrators of 26/11 was still an "unfinished business" which was high on its priority, days after Pakistani American LeT terrorist David Headley was sentenced to 35 years in jail by a Chicago court.

"We are not walking away. This is one of our very high priorities," US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told an Indian journalist while responding to a question related to the Mumbai terror attack and Headley's sentencing.

"Bringing to justice the perpetrators of 26/11 is still an unfinished business...," Clinton said while interacting with global audiences through internet at what was labelled as a 'Global TownHall'.

The sentence for Headley for his role in plotting the Mumbai attack of 2008 that came under a plea bargain, left India majorly disappointed.

Under the plea bargain agreement Headley reached with the US government, he could have been sentenced to a life in prison, but the prosecutors only sought a maximum of 35 years for the rogue DEA agent, leaving a slight possibility that the 52-year-old might walk out of prison.

India had pressed for extradition of Headley but that too was ruled out after the LeT operative agreed to cooperate with the US agencies.

Clinton, who is set to leave the State Department, also reminded Pakistan of the need to take action against militants operating from its soil.

"We have continued to press the Pakistani Government. Terrorists inside Pakistan first and foremost (are) a threat to Pakistan," she said.

Clinton, 65, who had an eventful tenure as the top American diplomat, was addressing the Global Townterview ahead of her last day in office as Secretary of State on February 1. The interaction included questions from a select six prominent news channels from across the world.

This was Clinton's 59th town hall, three of which were held in India.