A special court in India issues non-bailable warrants against nearly two dozens Pakistani nationals wanted in connection with last years' terror attacks on Mumbai.

The arrest warrants were issued on Tuesday afternoon in port city of Mumbai by a senior judge on a plea by Public Prosecutor.

The warrants include several senior operatives allegedly belonging to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) terrorist group, accused of plotting lethal attacks on India's commercial hub.

None of the accused is of Indian origin nor do they reside in India. Only one alleged Pakistani citizen, Ajmal Amir Qasab, is currently in the custody of Indian security forces and undergoing trial for his role in the deadly attacks.

Relations between the nuclear-armed neighbors have sunk to a new low after militants allegedly belonging to the LeT attacked several areas across Mumbai in November 2008.

India also charged that some Pakistani state agencies had backed the attack. Authorities in Islamabad denied any involvement, but acknowledged that the terror attacks were partly planned on Pakistan's soil.

A peace process between the two nuclear-armed neighbors was put on hold following the attacks on India's financial hub, in which 179 people were killed, of which nine were militants.

Indian Premier Manmohan Singh has emphasized that New Delhi would engage in talks with Pakistan if the Islamabad government tackles insurgents blamed for Mumbai and other attacks across India.

JR/SC/DT