India signs new anti-terror laws in wake of Mumbai attack

In response to the deadly Mumbai attacks, India's president has signed into law a bill that doubles the number of days police can detain terror suspects andextends police powers to conduct searches.

President Pratibha Patil approved the anti-terror legislation, which has been criticized by some human rights groups.

Police will now be able to detain terror suspects for 180 days before filing charges, up from 90.

The president also signed a bill that will create an FBI-style national investigation agency, said Home Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram, the country's top law enforcement official.

In the aftermath of the attacks, Chidambaram announced sweeping changes to the country's security and intelligence agencies, which came under heavy criticism.

He has said the government also plans to boost coastal security, training for local police and intelligence sharing.

Gunmen targeted 10 sites in the siege that began Nov. 26, killing around 171 people, including two Canadians. India has blamed the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for the attacks.

Meanwhile, a senior Pakistani official said a militant arrested in Pakistan has confessed to involvement in the attacks and is giving investigators details of the plot.

"[Zarar Shah] has made some statement that he was involved," said the government official. "I can tell you that he is singing."

A senior intelligence officer also told the Associated Pressthat Shah and another suspect, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, were co-operating with investigators.

Shah and Lakhvi, who havebeen identified as members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, were taken into custody soon after the attack.