India ? India’s top law enforcement official apologized Friday for “lapses” that allowed 10 suspected Islamic militants to rampage through Mumbai, while the prime minister pressed the assertion that Pakistani extremists were behind the attack.

Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram acknowledged the failings but stressed the country is bolstering security following the assault that left 171 dead and 239 wounded in the country’s financial capital.

“There have been lapses. I would be less than truthful if I said there had been no lapses,” Chidambaram told reporters.

The minister, who assumed his post just days ago following the ouster of the previous minister in the attack’s aftermath, spoke as details surfaced that a Pakistani militant group had used an Indian operative as far back as 2007 to scout targets in the Mumbai plot.

Linking an Indian national to the plot undermines India’s argument that Pakistani “elements” were solely responsible for the Nov. 26-29 attacks. It also adds to a torrent of criticism about missed warnings and botched intelligence.